EDF Renewables wins permit for 200-MW solar project in Minnesota

• Minnesota energy regulators have actually okayed to a 200-MW solar park project suggested by EDF Renewables in the US state's Dodge County.

The favorable choice was provided with consentaneous assistance by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) recently.

The approval backs the USD-256-million (EUR 239.2 m) Byron Solar project, which will produce Minnesotta's second-largest photovoltaic (PV) park after utility Xcel Energy's 460-MW Sherco scheme in Becker, Sherburne County. EDF Renewables intends to set up the solar park at an about 1,550-acre (627-ha) site near the communities of Byron as well as Kasson. According to the project's website, industrial operations are planned to be reached in 2025.

The project also consists of the building and construction of a three-mile transmission line in Dodge and Olmsted counties to adjoin to the grid run by the Midwest Interconnect Solutions Driver (MISO).

When up and running, Byron Solar park will be capable of creating sufficient electrical energy to provide regarding 30,000 residences.