Xcel Energy Receives Approval to Build Two Wind Farms in Texas and New Mexico

Xcel Energy has received verbal approval from Texas regulators for new large wind energy facilities that would grant savings to Xcel customers in Texas and New Mexico.

On Friday (April 27), the Public Utility Commission of Texas agreed to a plan that would add over 1,200 megawatts of wind energy to the region. New Mexico regulators approved the plan in March.

The plan would build two new wind farms, one in Texas near Plainview, and another in New Mexico near Portales, which in the long run, would lower customer bills and generate additional revenue. The plan also allows Xcel Energy to purchase wind energy through long-term contracts from facilities in Texas.

The first wind farm, called the Hale Wind Project, will be built near Plainview, with construction expected to start in June. The second wind farm, named the Sagamore Wind Project, will be built near Portales, with construction starting in 2019.

Xcel Energy says both wind facilities will produce enough wind energy to power around 360,000 homes, create 600 jobs, and generate $154 million in extra revenue for state and local governments, plus school districts.