Xcel Energy 2010 Annual Report Download - page 61

51
Renewable Energy
● As noted above, Xcel Energy is the nation’s largest utility wind energy provider, holding this ranking for the last six
years. In 2009 Xcel Energy had 3,176 MW of wind energy on our system. In 2010, this has grown to 3,432 MW. Xcel
Energy plans continue to grow this to between 4,500 MW and 5,000 MW by 2015. Wind energy accounted for
approximately 8 percent of our energy mix and by 2020, we project it will be approximately 16 percent of our energy.
● Xcel Energy has a number of environmental initiatives focused on our customers. Xcel Energy has the third largest
customer-driven wind program in the nation called WindSource®.
● In 2010, NSP-Minnesota completed the new 201 MW Nobles Wind Project in southern Minnesota. NSP-Minnesota is
also investing approximately $400 million for the 150 MW Merricourt Wind project located in southeastern North
Dakota, expected to be operational by the end of 2011.
● Xcel Energy is the nation’s fifth largest utility solar energy provider, holding this ranking for the last three years.
● In Colorado, Minnesota and New Mexico, Xcel Energy manages a growing customer-sited solar program, known as
Solar*Rewards®.
● In 2010, PSCo completed a solar demonstration project under the Innovative Clean Technology Program described
above. That project tested the use of solar thermal energy to supplement a coal plant steam cycle and reduce the plant’s
fuel consumption and emissions.
● Hydro provides 4 percent of Xcel Energy’s electric generation.
● Xcel Energy operates 27 hydroelectric power plants in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Colorado, which can generate more
than 500 MW and purchases large amounts of emissions-free, reasonably priced hydro-generated electricity from
Manitoba Hydro.
Conservation
● Xcel Energy’s efficiency programs saved approximately 698 GWh of electric energy in 2010, and Xcel Energy is
allowed a performance incentive in Minnesota, Colorado and New Mexico.
● Xcel Energy is also working to apply intelligence to its electric grid, creating a smart grid, to provide customers with
more choice, reliability and control over their energy use. To that end, Xcel Energy has completed the nation’s first fully
integrated SmartGridCity™ in Boulder, Colo., and is testing its potential to help manage energy consumption, improve
service and reduce environmental impacts.
Transmission
● In conjunction with its significant position in wind and currently with ownership with over 18,100 line miles, Xcel
Energy is the fourth largest investor-owned transmission system. Further we expect to invest an additional $3.8 billion in
transmission through 2015.
● Xcel Energy is participating in a project called CapX2020 which is a joint initiative of 11 transmission-owning utilities
in the upper Midwest to expand the electric transmission grid by approximately 700 miles. The estimated cost of this
initiative is $1.9 billion, consisting of four major transmission projects, with the goal of providing continued reliable and
affordable electric service. NSP-Minnesota’s and NSP-Wisconsin’s percentage ownership varies by project and its
projected share of the investment is approximately $1 billion.
● Under Senate Bill 100 in Colorado, PSCo has proposed to build approximately 1,000 miles of transmission in the state,
including the San Luis Valley-Calumet-Comanche project, where utilities commission approval is pending. PSCo is
partnering with Tri-State on the San Luis Valley-Calumet-Comanche Transmission Project, with an overall sharing
percentage of approximately 60 percent to PSCo and 40 percent to Tri-State. As of December 2010, partnerships and
sharing percentages have not been determined for any other projects.
In pursuing its environmental initiatives, Xcel Energy actively evaluates public policy proposals and promotes environmental
initiatives that are designed to be reasonably priced, to assure compliance with state policies and programs, to manage long-term
customer costs and, where appropriate, to provide growth opportunities.
GHG Emissions
Xcel Energy is committed to addressing climate change and the threat of climate change regulation through efforts to reduce its
GHG emissions in a balanced, cost-effective manner.