Xcel Energy fires up 522-MW wind farm in New Mexico

US utility holding Xcel Energy Inc (NASDAQ:XEL) has brought online the 522-MW Sagamore wind farm, switching on its 240 turbines in the state of New Mexico.

The USD-900-million (EUR 735.9m) wind farm will be in service before the end of December, the company said.

Fargo-based Wanzek Construction Inc was hired to build Sagamore on an area spanning more than 100,000 acres (40,469 ha) in east central Roosevelt County. Denmark’s Vestas Wind Systems A/S (CPH:VWS) supplied the turbines.

Once in full service, Sagamore will be capable of powering close to 194,000 typical homes, and also contribute to New Mexico’s target to generate 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045.

Xcel has its own plans to lower carbon emissions by 80% by 2030 and become a supplier of 100% carbon-free power across its eight-state service area by 2050, the utility added.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.818)

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