Image Source: James McCauley (Above picture is not in Minnesota)FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2010
enXco and Xcel Energy Close on 201 Megawatt Wind Project
Escondido, CA – March 31, 2010 enXco, an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company (PARIS: EEN), and Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) closed on the Wind Project Purchase and Sale Agreement (WPPSA) for the Nobles Wind Project, a 201 megawatt wind facility to be constructed in Nobles County in southwest Minnesota.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the Nobles Wind Project on May 28, 2009. The closure of the WPPSA transfers the project ownership to Northern States Power Co. –an Xcel Energy operating company.
The agreement between enXco and Xcel Energy builds on the experience the two companies attained through their joint developments of nearly 500 megawatts over the past several years including Grand Meadow Wind Farm, Fenton Wind Project, Viking Wind Project and Chanarambie Wind Project all located in Minnesota, as well as, Peetz Wind Project in Colorado.
"Closing the WPPSA is an important milestone in the development of the Nobles Wind project," said Steve Peluso, vice president development for enXco's Midwest Region. "The Spring weather allows us to step up construction efforts, generating 150 jobs in the next few months. We are pleased to once again partner with Xcel Energy to bring economic and renewable benefits from the Nobles Wind Project to their customers in the Upper Midwest."
"Xcel Energy already is the nation's No. 1 wind power provider, and the Nobles Wind Project advances our commitment to provide clean, renewable energy at a reasonable cost to our customers," said Judy Poferl, president and CEO, Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy company. "We are pleased to move ahead on this project which will underscore our commitment to the communities we serve, increase our ownership of wind facilities, and help us meet aggressive renewable energy requirements."
The Nobles Wind Project, consisting of 134 GE 1.5 MW turbines will produce enough electricity to power approximately 50,000 homes. The wind farm is expected to be operational by the end of 2010, helping Xcel Energy to reach its Renewable Portfolio Standard target of generating 30 percent of its retail electrical sales with renewable power by 2020.
About enXco, an EDF EN Company
enXco (www.enxco.com) – an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company (www.edf-energies-nouvelles.com) - develops, constructs, operates and manages renewable energy projects throughout the United States. For more than two decades, we have been a leader in wind-energy focusing on large-scale wind projects. Today enXco's portfolio includes solar and biomass technologies, in an effort to help drive our nation's transition to a sustainable energy economy. enXco is a significant owner and developer of wind-energy installations in the United States, and is the leading third-party operations & maintenance provider for wind farms in North America.
About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.
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