Monticello Nuclear Plant refuels to continue producing clean, reliable energy
MINNEAPOLIS (April 18, 2025) – Workers at Xcel Energy’s Monticello nuclear plant began a refueling and maintenance effort on April 18, allowing the facility to continue providing reliable, carbon-free energy for customers throughout the Upper Midwest and remain an economic engine for the region.
During the planned work, the plant will be taken offline and nearly 1,000 specialists will join the plant’s full-time workforce. This provides a significant boost to the economies of Wright County and the surrounding region. The work helps set up the plant for a future extension of its operations, which will play an important part in achieving Minnesota’s clean energy goals.
“Nuclear energy is an important clean energy resource that will help achieve Minnesota’s goal to power communities with reliable, 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040,” said Ryan Long, president, Xcel Energy – Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. “Ensuring our nuclear plants operate responsibly allows us to continue delivering reliable, carbon-free energy to our Upper Midwest customers well into the future.”
Together, the Monticello plant and Xcel Energy’s Prairie Island nuclear plant provide 23% of the total electricity that the company’s customers use in the Upper Midwest.
