Xcel Minn. Monticello reactor cut to 48 pct power

NEW YORK Oct 2 (Reuters) - Xcel Energy Inc's (XEL.N) 572-megawatt Monticello nuclear power plant in Minnesota dipped to 48 percent power by early Friday from full power early Thursday, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said in a report.

The Monticello station, which entered service in 1971, is located in Monticello in Wright County, about 40 miles northwest of Minneapolis. The NRC renewed the plant's original 40-year operating license in 2006 for another 20 years until 2030.

The company planned to spend up to $135 million to boost the reactor's generating capacity by 71 MW by 2011.

One MW powers about 800 homes in Minnesota.

Xcel Energy, of Minneapolis, owns and operates more than 17,000 MW of generating capacity, markets energy commodities, and transmits and distributes electricity (3.3 million customers) and natural gas (1.8 million customers) in 10 Western and Midwestern states. (Reporting by Scott DiSavino; Editing by John Picinich)