Xcel Energy, the multi-state US utility based in Minnesota, on Tuesday unveiled a proposal to add 1,230MW of new wind to its system in New Mexico and Texas, building on the 1,550MW wind expansion plan it laid out only last week for the Upper Midwest.

Coming on top of the 600MW Rush Creek project Xcel is about to begin building in Colorado, the investor-owned utility’s wind programme now includes plans for 3,380MW of new capacity by the time the full production tax credit disappears at the end of 2020.

Xcel, which already has more wind on its system than any other US utility, says its plans collectively represent the largest multi-state wind investment programme in the country.

The latest projects to join Xcel’s expanding queue are the 522MW Sagamore Wind project in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, which has been developed by Invenergy, and the 478MW Hale Wind project in Hale County, Texas, developed by NextEra. Xcel will build and own both wind farms, adding to its recent enthusiasm for owning wind capacity in-house.

Just a few years ago, either project would have ranked among the largest in the country.

In addition, Xcel says it will sign a power-purchase agreement with NextEra for its 230MW Bonita project in Cochran and Crosby Counties, Texas.

Last week Xcel announced its largest ever wind expansion in the Upper Midwest, saying it will bring seven new wind farms onto its system in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa – with most of the capacity to be owned in-house.

The spate of announcements from Xcel, which owns a series of regulated utilities stretching from Colorado to the Canadian border and down to the Texas Panhandle, underscores the US wind market's powerful momentum, as developers and utilities race to complete projects and lock in the full PTC.

Xcel, like many wind developers and owners, made a huge investment in wind turbines in 2016, allowing it to qualify its near-term projects for the 100% PTC.

If all of its 11 new projects get built on time, Xcel says it will be sourcing 35% of its total energy mix by 2021, while shrinking its carbon emissions by 45% on 2005 levels.

Wind

Xcel adds another 1.2GW to its US wind expansion plans