Tim O’Connor

Tim O’Connor is executive vice president and chief operations officer for Xcel Energy. He is responsible for all generation assets within Xcel Excel and its jurisdictions, including nuclear, fossil, hydro and renewables, along key operations functions to deliver energy to our customers, including transmission, distribution and natural gas. O’Connor also oversees the enterprise supply chain and commercial operations, which include fuels and energy markets. He was appointed executive vice president and chief generation officer in 2020.

O’Connor was appointed senior vice president and chief nuclear officer for Xcel Energy in 2012. He was responsible for nuclear strategic direction, business plans, finance, and operations for the company. That includes corporate, the operations of the Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear generating plants, and the decommissioning and nuclear fuel storage. In June 2012, he was appointed vice president of corporate engineering/nuclear regulatory compliance and licensing for the nuclear fleet after five years as Monticello site vice president.

O’Connor has nearly 40 years of commercial nuclear experience with both boiling water and pressurized water reactors. During that time, O’Connor has held a variety of senior leadership and executive leadership positions in several utilities and sites and variety of complex situations. This also included a position with the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) as a Nuclear Plant Evaluation Team Manager on a reverse loaned assignment.

O’Connor received his mechanical engineering degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and has completed several executive business programs with the Chicago Kellogg School of Business and with GAP International. He also serves on numerous industry committees.

He serves on the executive advisor group for the DOE/INL Nuclear Science and Technology areas, the Holtec Decommissioning Industry Advisory Group, NEI coalition of the Nuclear Strategic Industry Advisory Committee, NEI Chairman of the Industry High Level Waste Committee, USA Board of Directors and Terrestrial Energy Industry Advisory Committee. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Minneapolis St. Paul Jeremiah charitable organization for single mothers.