Prairie Island Nuclear Plant Extension

Xcel Energy received approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Thursday to extend operations of the Prairie Island nuclear plant through the early 2050s.

It’s a major step toward continuing to provide reliable, carbon-free energy for customers across the Upper Midwest.

Following the Commission’s unanimous vote to approve Xcel Energy’s application for increased storage of spent fuel at the site, the company plans to request a 20-year extension of the plant’s operating licenses from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2026.

The federal review process is extensive, typically taking 18-24 months, and is focused on ensuring safe and reliable operations.

Prairie Island has two units that together produce 1,100 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 1 million homes across the Upper Midwest.

The units’ current operating licenses expire in 2033 and 2034.