wiredInUSA May 2017

Wind across the Midwest

Xcel Energy will gain 1,550MW of new wind generation with a total of seven wind farms to be built in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa, growing the company’s regional wind portfolio by 60 percent. “This investment in renewable energy keeps bills low for customers while giving them the clean energy they want and helping us achieve 63 percent carbon- free energy by 2030,” said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy-Minnesota. “Wind energy is at historically low prices right now, so we’re able to reduce emissions while securing long-term cost savings for our customers.”

agreements representing more than $2.5 billion in capital investments. The company is taking advantage of federal production tax credits to secure low wind energy prices. Advances in turbine technology, improved wind forecasting and a newly expanded transmission system have all played a role in the ability to build new wind farms. “We’re significantly increasing the amount of wind generation on our system in part due to the recent completion of Midwest transmission projects that connect wind- rich areas to our customers,” Clark continued.

Xcel Energy is proposing a combination of owned projects and power purchase

wiredInUSA - May 2017

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