Xcel Energy's Renewable Energy Plans

According to a new RockyMountainNews.com, Xcel Energy is ramping up its green power. They report that Colorado's biggest utility announced this week new projects aimed at bolstering its renewable energy portfolio, including two wind farms.

With Xcel's previously announced two other wind farms, the company will add 775 megawatts of wind energy before the end of 2007, up from its current output of 282 megawatts.

The wind power initiative is part of Xcel's effort to be compliant with Colorado's new energy standards. Approved by voters in November 2004, the mandate requires Xcel to acquire 10 percent of its electric sales from renewable sources such as wind, sun, or plant and animal waste through 2015, with at least 4 percent of that coming from solar energy.

"I hope that Xcel doesn't consider this 775-megawatt of wind power as a ceiling, given the demonstrated benefit of wind energy," said Craig Cox of Interwest Energy Alliance, a trade group representing the wind power industry. "I hope to see more projects in the near future."

Read more in the RMN.com article Xcel reveals renewable energy plans.