Xcel Reveals Winds of Change To get a sense of the progress thats been made in wind energy in the last 10 years, the numbers paint an impressive picture. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Americas cumulative wind-power capacity exceeded 61,000 megawatts in 2013---a nearly tenfold increase from 2003 capacity levels. Almost 80 percent of states now generate power from wind resources, according to the AWEA, with enough capacity to power the equivalent of 15.5 million homes. Today, wind power makes up 15 percent of the energy supply that Xcel Energy provides to customers and can meet the energy needs of about 2.5 million homes. At one point in May 2013, wind accounted for more than 60 percent of the power on the Colorado system, setting the national record. This commitment to wind has helped Xcel Energy earn its standing as the No. 1 wind-energy provider for 10 consecutive years in the AWEAs annual utility rankings. More importantly, wind energy benefits Xcel Energy customers. It helps to diversify our energy supply and reduces system emissions. Wind purchased under long-term contracts protects customers from rising fossil-fuel and environmental-compliance costs. Weve learned plenty about wind energy in this last decade. As we ramp up our solar capabilities, our wind power experience offers constructive insights to help further reduce our carbon footprint, maintain system integrity, and continue to meet customer demands for more renewable energy at an affordable price. Providing lower-cost clean energy through economies of scale Xcel Energy plans to expand the use of wind energy by 40 percent during the next several years. Whats driving this growth? If you think its just to help fulfill state renewable-energy standards, youd be wrong. At current prices, wind is simply proving to be the lowest-cost option for meeting our customers energy needs. Last year, for example, we received bids to purchase new wind power from projects that...
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 23:35:06 +0000
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