The US energy utility Xcel Energy has announced it will invest US$2.5bn to support the development of 1.55 GW of new wind capacity in several US Northern states (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa). These funds will be allocated across 7 wind farms sites.
Previously, Xcel Energy has announced plans in October 2016 to develop four wind projects with a combined capacity of 750 MW in Minnesota and North Dakota (United States). The company also signed power purchase agreements (PPA) for a further 800 MW.
The four projects are the following:
- Freeborn Wind Energy, a 200 MW project located in Freeborn County, Minnesota, developed by Invenergy
- Foxtail Wind, a 150 MW project located in Dickey County, North Dakota, developed by NextEra Energy Resources
- Blazing Star 1, a 200 MW project located in Lincoln County, Minnesota, developed by Geronimo Energy
- Blazing Star 2, a 200 MW project located in Lincoln County, Minnesota, developed by Geronimo Energy
The three newly proposed projects which are expected to generate 800 MW are:
- Crowned Ridge Wind, a 300 MW Build-Own Transfer project and a 300 MW PPA on top
- Lake Benton Wind Project, a 100 MW Build-Own Transfer project located in Minnesota (Pipestone County)
- Clean Energy 1, a 100 MW PPA in North Dakota (Morton and Mercer Counties)
If approved by regulators, Xcel Energy will begin building the wind farms upon completion of the permitting process, expected by mid-2017. The projects are expected to be commissioned by 2020.
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