Regulators in Minnesota have approved Xcel Energy’s plan to add 1.55GW of wind energy in the US Upper Midwest through 2020, among the largest such expansions in the region during the last decade.

The plan calls for seven new wind farms to be built in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. Xcel Energy will own 1.15GW of nameplate capacity with the remaining 400MW acquired through long-term power purchase agreements.