SUPERIOR, Wis. — Dairyland Power Cooperative will partner with Minnesota Power to build a $700 million natural gas electric plant in Superior.

Dairyland CEO Barb Nick says the natural gas generation will complement the solar and wind resources Dairyland has added to its portfolio and shows the company’s commitment to renewable energy.

The La Crosse Tribune  says coal has been the backbone of Dairyland’s generation resources, but it’s been adding renewable resources with a plan to reduce coal’s share of capacity to 50 percent by 2026.

The Superior plant needs regulatory approval in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Groundbreaking is expected in 2018.