Xcel Energy says it has achieved a new wind energy record: At 8 p.m. on Feb. 17, 1.713 GWh – nearly 33% of the company's Upper Midwest customer electricity demand – was generated by locally sourced wind power.
‘From our first purchase of wind energy in 1993 to the commissioning of our own Grand Meadow and Nobles wind farms in 2008 and 2010, we have been working toward this day,’ says Judy Poferl, president and CEO of Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy company. ‘We have learned a lot about how to successfully produce and integrate wind energy onto our system in a cost-effective manner for our customers.’
Wind farms produced almost 12% of the energy used by Xcel Energy's Upper Midwest customers in 2012. The company says this puts it ahead of its 30% by 2020 renewable energy requirement established under Minnesota's renewable portfolio standard. Of the 30% renewables, at least 25% must come from wind energy.
