Wind farms help Xcel Energy cut carbon emissions

US utility Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL) Tuesday said it has reduced its 2017 carbon emissions by 35% from 2005 levels and achieved a power mix that was 40% carbon-free.

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions were down by 72% and 76%, respectively. Xcel said wind accounted for 21% of power supplied to customers last year and the company’s plan is to more than double its wind generation with 12 new wind parks in seven states.

The table shows details of Xcel’s total mix and by state in 2017, including energy generated by Xcel Energy plants, energy that was purchased and energy that was supplied or made possible for customers under the renewable energy programs Windsource, Solar*Rewards and Solar*Rewards Community.

Between 2005 and 2026 the company is to retire 20 coal power plants or 40% of its coal-powered capacity. As part of Xcel’s transition to cleaner energy, it will replace coal plants with a combination of wind and solar power, while natural gas will serve as backup.

The company is working to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2022, on the road to a cut of 60% in 2030 from 2005 levels.

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