State poised to be third largest producer of wind energy

Xcel Energy officials report that Minnesota is poised to become the nation's third largest producer of wind energy capacity, behind California and Texas.

The state will move into third place by the end of December when its new Southwest Minnesota wind farm project goes online. The farm will generate 150 megawatts, giving the state the megawatts needed to hit the 1,000 megawatt benchmark.

1,000 megawatts of wind energy is enough to provide power to 270,000 homes across the state.

Xcel Energy spokeswoman Patti Nystuen says the wind generated by the new farm is a key part of meeting the state's new requirement that utility companies produce 30 percent in renewable energy by 2020.

"We'll have 30 percent renewables by 2020 and wind will play about 25 percent of that role," she says, "and it just shows that everyone is moving in the right direction here, we are moving towards more renewables and more wind on the system."

The new wind farm project is expected to go online between December 21st and 31st.

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