Integrated Planning Intern - MN

Xcel Energy Services Inc; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

401(k) plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Holidays

Job summary

Xcel Energy offers a summertime internship in distribution planning, exposing you to both electric and natural gas planning, regulatory strategy, and decarbonization initiatives. You’ll work on projects that influence infrastructure investments and customer programs, while learning from seasoned planners and data analysts.

The role suits students in engineering, economics, analytics, or energy policy, with a path to grow into energy systems and sustainability careers.

Qualifications

• Current student, Sophomore or higher.
• Enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Civil/Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Public Policy, Energy Systems, Data Analytics, Finance, related technical or analytical field.
• Able to work full‑time during the summer (up to 40 hours a week) and part time during the school year (up to 20 hours a week) and commuting to the designated work location in‑person, per hybrid work policy.

Responsibilities

• Support a variety of analytical, strategic, and technical projects related to distribution system planning and utility resource planning.
• Work alongside experienced planners, engineers, and data analysts to evaluate future energy needs, assess emerging technologies, develop planning assumptions, and support regulatory filings and strategic initiatives.
• Gain hands‑on experience working with utility data, forecasting methodologies, energy system planning concepts, and decarbonization strategies.
• Analysis of distributed energy resources, electrification trends, natural gas innovation opportunities, load growth, infrastructure investment planning, and customer‑focused solutions.

Skills

Power BI

Tableau

Python

R

SQL

Education

Electrical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Civil Engineering

Environmental Engineering

Computer Science

Economics

Public Policy

Energy Systems

Data Analytics

Finance

Tools

GIS

Job description

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for. At Xcel Energy, our employees are the driving force behind our success. So we make sure that, here, you can be your best. Doing work that makes a difference for neighbors and communities. Working with a team you can count on to push you. Expanding skills, staying ready for change, and capturing opportunities to grow. All with the support, rewards and recognition you need to thrive – during your internship and beyond.

The Gas and Electric Distribution Planning team is responsible for developing forward‑looking strategies that ensure safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy delivery to customers. The team works at the intersection of electric distribution planning, natural gas planning, regulatory strategy, distributed energy resources, decarbonization, system forecasting, and utility innovation. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain exposure to both electric and natural gas utility planning while contributing to projects that directly influence infrastructure investments, customer programs, and clean energy strategies.

Typical Intern Responsibilities

• Support a variety of analytical, strategic, and technical projects related to distribution system planning and utility resource planning.
• Work alongside experienced planners, engineers, and data analysts to evaluate future energy needs, assess emerging technologies, develop planning assumptions, and support regulatory filings and strategic initiatives.
• Gain hands‑on experience working with utility data, forecasting methodologies, energy system planning concepts, and decarbonization strategies.
• Analysis of distributed energy resources, electrification trends, natural gas innovation opportunities, load growth, infrastructure investment planning, and customer‑focused solutions.

This internship is ideal for students interested in energy systems, engineering, sustainability, economics, analytics, public policy, or utility.

This position is for a May 24, 2027 start date. This position may have the possibility to extend beyond the internship’s initial term based on the candidate’s successful performance and Xcel Energy’s business needs.

Minimum Requirements

• Current student, Sophomore or higher
• Enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Civil/Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Public Policy, Energy Systems, Data Analytics, Finance, related technical or analytical field
• Able to work full‑time during the summer (up to 40 hours a week)/ part time during the school year (up to 20 hours a week) and commuting to the designated work location in‑person, per our hybrid work policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in energy systems, utility planning, sustainability, or infrastructure planning.
• Coursework in: Power systems, Energy economics, Utility regulation, Forecasting, Statistics, Data science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS),
• Experience with data analysis tools such as: Power BI; Tableau; Python; R; SQL
• Familiarity with electric utility, natural gas utility, or energy industry concepts.
• Curiosity and interest in solving complex energy challenges related to reliability, affordability, and decarbonization.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy‑related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at [e-mail].

Non‑Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $18.90 to $22.10 per hour

Benefits

• Pension
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Holidays

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age‑identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 10/15/26

EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law Supplement | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)

All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company’s information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility.

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at [e-mail]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

You. Us. Together. At Xcel Energy, we’re more than an energy company. We’re reinventing how we power communities. Redefining how we care for customers. Reaffirming our commitment to the planet. We’re committed to leading with equity and inclusion. You’re not waiting for change – you’re creating it. You’re driven to protect the environment, support your community, and seek innovation. You want a career that grows with you and an employer who values you. You are reliable, trustworthy and bring integrity to everything you do. We are leading the way in clean energy. We’re using technology and innovation in every facet of our company. We’re providing safe, stable jobs with robust benefits. We keep our customers at the center of all we do. We’re committed to hiring a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can provide carbon‑free electricity by 2050. Together, we can take care of the environment and our communities. Together we can create a place where everyone belongs. Together we’re building a better tomorrow.