New Mexico utility regulators on Wednesday approved Xcel Energy’s $1.6bn proposal to expand wind power capacity by 1.23GW in its service territory there and in neighboring Texas.

The 5-0 vote by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission is a major milestone for the expansion plan that includes the 522MW Sagamore project in eastern New Mexico. It will be the largest wind farm in the state upon scheduled completion by the end of 2020.