Xcel says Sherco 3 will start within about a week, nearly 2 years after failure [St. Cloud Times, Minn.]

Sept. 28--BECKER -- Xcel Energy says the generator damaged by a catastrophic turbine malfunction at the Sherco power plant should be back in service within weeks.

In an update filed Sept. 20 with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Xcel wrote that the restoration work on Sherco Unit 3 has been completed, and the unit has undergone tests.

The unit is offline again while workers complete some final work but should return to service on or around Oct. 7, Xcel stated. There will be four days of testing before it is released to start supplying full power.

In November 2011, a turbine malfunction sent parts flying, twisted turbine blades and sparked a fire, putting the largest of Sherco's three coal-fired units out of commission. Xcel described it as one of the worst mechanical failures in company history.

Xcel initially estimated the unit would be back online in the first quarter of 2013, but the repairs were more complex and took longer than originally thought. Additional damage was discovered during the repair process when workers gained access to hidden layers of equipment and structures.

Unit 3 is the largest of its kind in the United States, and repairing it has been a massive undertaking. The unit had to be dissembled, and some components had to be sent off site for repairs.

In its statement to state regulators, Xcel said it is continuing to work with its insurance provider to identify the root cause of the turbine failure.

Xcel co-owns Unit 3 with Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency.

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