Minnesota Power has become the first Minnesota utility to deliver 50% renewable energy to customers, bringing the company closer to its energy mix goal of two-thirds renewable energy and natural gas, and one-third “environmentally compliant” coal, the company said Wednesday.

The company reached the milestone when its Nobles 2 wind project in southwestern Minnesota came online this month. Through its EnergyForward strategy, Minnesota Power aims to transition to cleaner sources of energy while still providing affordable electricity. 

Under its strategy, Minnesota Power has effectively halved its carbon emissions since 2005, adding almost 900 MW of wind energy capacity into its energy mix. It plans to increase its solar energy capacity in 2021 to 31 MW from 11 MW, and retire or...