Community Corner

Xcel Plans New Natural Gas-Burning Generator in Burnsville

The generator is expected to be completed by 2015 and would have an output of 215 megawatts.

Xcel Energy has plans to build a new electrical generator at its Burnsville Black Dog power plant, the company announced Monday.

The natural gas combustion turbine would have an output of 215 megawatts and be completed by 2017. Xcel is also planning two similar units in North Dakota.

Xcel will be retiring two coal-burning Burnsville units in 2015, the Star Tribune reported.

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“Our proposal responds to our customers’ need for power that can be brought online quickly and efficiently to meet demand when it’s highest,” Judy Poferl, Xcel’s Minnesota head, said in a statement. “Further, our proposal provides flexibility to allow us to add resources only if they’re needed.”

Overall electrical demand is expected to remain flat, but the new plant will help meet demand spikes during peak usage.

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Xcel has not given figures about the cost of the new unit.

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