Last year, Xcel Energy achieved milestones in renewable energy, energy efficiency and emissions reductions, according to the company's annual Corporate Responsibility Report.
Xcel Energy increased its use of wind energy 20%, adding more than 1 GW of wind power to its system, in 2012. Solar energy grew on the company's system by about 30% last year.
Xcel Energy also says customers set a record for energy conservation for the third year in a row by taking advantage of its energy efficiency programs.
In addition, through the combination of conservation, renewable energy and power plant improvement projects, Xcel Energy says it reduced its carbon emissions by 18% since 2005. Carbon reduction is projected to reach 27% by 2020.
‘We deliver safe reliable, and affordable energy to our customers in a responsible manner for the environment and the communities we serve,’ says Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy. ‘The keys to achieving that mission include innovative programs offering customers the ability to choose renewable energy sources and save energy, and improving the performance of our own power plants and facilities.’
