Xcel biggest wind producer in nation 12th consecutive year

New wind farm will power over 100,000 homes

The wind bragging rights continue to reside with Xcel energy.

The company claims to be the biggest wind power producer in the nation, 12 years running behind the new 100-turbine Odell wind farm in southern Minnesota and another farm coming online soon.

The Odell farm will power over 100,000 homes. McCarten says, with those facilities, Xcel is poised to have 35 percent of its power generated through renewable sources by 2030. 

“And that, combined with our nuclear power plants, means overall our energy mix will be 63 percent carbon free,” vice president at Xcel Energy-Minnesota Laura McCarten said.

The wind power fulfills renewable energy production requirements but also saves customers money, says McCarten.

“It’s not only green, clean energy, it’s saving our customers money,” McCartens said.

But having a big wind energy portfolio also increases dependability.

“Just like, for example, a financial investment portfolio, having variety reduces risk,” McCarten said. “We have a good variety of energy sources and we think that will serve our customers well over the long term.

McCarten says the diversity will save customers $200 million over the lifetime of the facilities.