Southwest Minnesota sees big gains with wind and solar

Southwest Minnesota is making big strides in renewable energy, with wind and solar projects driving economic growth and strengthening local communities. Helping lead the transition is the Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC). SRDC serves as a vital link between local governments, businesses, and communities. 

A key effort driving progress in the region is the Rural Minnesota Energy Board (RMEB). Staffed and facilitated by SRDC, RMEB is a County Joint Powers Board, formed to provide policy guidance on issues surrounding energy development in rural Minnesota. The board works to support the 18 county area with policy, planning, management, and implementation of methods to deal with energy and transmission in rural Minnesota.

For more than 21 years, SRDC has also been a key partner in the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), helping bring clean energy solutions to communities across Southwest Minnesota. Nadya Bucklin, our Southwest CERT regional coordinator and SRDC development planner, plays a central role in supporting these efforts and connecting local communities with resources and opportunities for clean energy projects.

​​Together, SRDC and RMEB are helping to shape a more sustainable energy future for the region. Jason Walker, SRDC’s community development director, sees exciting opportunities ahead. 

CERTs: What is new and exciting in renewable energy development in SW MN?

Jason: Utility-scale solar projects are becoming more common than utility-scale wind projects. Some examples: Lake Wilson Solar in Murray County (150 MW) approved in 2024; the biggest proposed project is Coneflower Solar in Lyon County. In the transmission world, they completed the second line from Brookings to Lyon County, which will alleviate some congestion and allow more projects to interconnect.

CERTs: What do you see being a potential challenge or opportunity for 2025 and beyond?

Jason: We are working with CERTs and Great Plains Institute on multiple projects over the next two to three years that revolve around large-scale solar. We will explore community perceptions, how projects are sited, and where projects could have additional benefits, such as protecting drinking water from nitrate runoff. In the long term, developing hydrogen power, battery storage, and transmission capacity would have enormous economic impacts on our region.