Xcel Energy submits application for 600 MW Midwest wind projects (US)

Xcel Energy has submitted to state regulators a proposal to add 600 MW of wind resources in its Upper Midwest service territory.

Following a request for proposals in February, Xcel Energy selected three projects to submit to regulators for review:

• Courtenay Wind Farm, a 200 MW project near Jamestown, N.D., under a power purchase agreement with Geronimo Energy;

• Odell Wind Farm, a 200 MW project near Windom, Minn., also under a power purchase agreement with Geronimo Energy; and

• Pleasant Valley, a 200 MW project near Austin, Minn., submitted by RES America Developments Inc. RES would develop the project and then transfer ownership to Xcel Energy. The Pleasant Valley project is adjacent to the Grand Meadow wind project, owned by Xcel Energy.

If approved by regulators, construction on the projects will begin immediately in order to qualify for the federal renewable energy tax credits. All three projects are scheduled to be in service by the beginning of 2016.

The additional 600 MW of wind power – enough to serve 180,000 homes – would lower customer costs by $180m over the lives of the projects.

Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company that provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies in eight Western and Midwestern states.