For the 11th consecutive year, Xcel Energy has been named the
country’s top utility wind energy provider by the American
Wind Energy Association, a national trade association. For more than
a decade, Xcel Energy has led the nation in providing wind energy to its
customers.
“Xcel Energy is proud to have grown the use of clean, emissions-free
wind energy at a reasonable cost for customers. Our wind portfolio is
second to none,” said Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel
Energy.
In 2014, wind energy made up about 16 percent of the company’s energy
supply. Currently, Xcel Energy has 5,794 megawatts of wind power in its
portfolio, enough to meet the energy needs of nearly 2.9 million homes.
According to a new AWEA report, Xcel Energy is the first U.S. utility to
exceed 5,000 megawatts of wind. Only nine countries in the world, in
addition to the states of Texas, Iowa and California, have more than
5,000 megawatts of wind capacity.
“Today we have enough confidence in our wind operations and forecasts
that we are able to back down less efficient fossil fuel plants during
times when high winds are predicted,” said Frank Prager, vice president
for policy and federal affairs at Xcel Energy. “It’s a practice that is
reducing fuel costs for customers and saving about 233,000 tons of
carbon dioxide emissions annually.”
Xcel Energy’s commitment to wind energy is clear. The top 10 states for
wind capacity include three in the company’s service territory: Texas
ranks No. 1, Minnesota is No. 8 and Colorado is No. 10.
In 2013, Xcel Energy announced plans to expand its use of wind power by
another 40 percent by 2016. The company is adding nine projects
throughout its service territory, representing 1,900 megawatts of new
wind energy resources, enough to serve about 900,000 homes. The projects
were all acquired at prices competitive with new natural gas-fueled
generation and are estimated to save customers more than $900 million
over the length of the contracts. At the end of 2014, one-third of this
commitment was fulfilled as three of the contracted wind projects came
online in Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma, totaling about 650 megawatts.
The remaining six projects are on schedule to be completed later this
year.
Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas
company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern
states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related
products and services to 3.5 million electricity customers and 1.9
million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies.
Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is
available at www.xcelenergy.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2015