## Overview Minnesota Power is a major electric utility serving northeastern Minnesota, delivering electricity across a 26,000-square-mile territory from its headquarters in Duluth[7]. It is a division of ALLETE, Inc., a diversified energy company that has expanded beyond traditional utility operations into water, transportation, and land services[1][3]. Today, Minnesota Power is recognized for its transition toward renewable energy and its role in regional economic development. ## History Founded in 1906 as the Duluth Edison Electric Company, Minnesota Power’s early years were marked by rapid consolidation of regional utilities, culminating in the 1923 formation of Minnesota Power & Light Company[1][2][3]. The company initially relied heavily on hydroelectric power, building several dams on the St. Louis and Mississippi Rivers to serve both residential customers and the region’s booming lumber and mining industries[2]. World War II and post-war industrialization prompted a shift toward steam (coal) generation, but hydro remained a cornerstone well into the mid-20th century[2][6]. Throughout the 20th century, Minnesota Power diversified its business, acquiring assets in water, transportation, and even briefly entering the automotive auction and paper industries[1][5]. The company rebranded as Minnesota Power in 1980 and, in 2001, became a subsidiary of ALLETE, Inc., adopting a holding company structure to facilitate further diversification[3]. ## Key Achievements Minnesota Power was a pioneer in utility-owned networks and regional power pooling, joining the Upper Mississippi Valley Power Pool in 1961 to enhance grid reliability and efficiency[1][5]. Financially, it weathered industry downturns, such as the taconite recession of the early 1980s, and achieved record revenues exceeding $1 billion by the late 1990s[1]. A major recent achievement is the company’s EnergyForward strategy, launched in the 2010s, which has dramatically