Xcel Energy has reached an agreement that would speed up construction of the 600MW Rush Creek wind farm in Colorado.
“We believe the settlement announced today, if approved, is a no regrets step towards more renewable energy for Xcel Energy customers and the state of Colorado,” said Xcel Energy Colorado president David Eves.
“Rush Creek will provide low-cost energy to our customers, and it adds a clean, renewable generation resource to the state that will help us meet potential federal and state air quality mandates.”
The state Public Utilities Commission is reviewing the settlement between the utility and a dozen interested parties on an expedited basis.
The company is seeking approval of its application to acquire the Rush Creek project and an associated 90-mile 345-kV transmission line, a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and approval to seek cost recovery.
The project is expected to begin construction in late 2017, with anticipated commercial operations set for late 2018.
Invenergy is the project developer, while Vestas will provide 300 2MW turbines from its Colorado manufacturing plants in Brighton, Pueblo and Windsor.
Rush Creek will generate approximately 350 jobs during construction and inject $1bn into the region’s economy, Xcel said.
Xcel anticipates the project will qualify for full federal production tax credits.
Image: Xcel
Xcel eyes Colorado acceleration
Deal reached to speed up construction of 600MW Rush Creek project
By EBS