070920-wind-generation-spikes-to-76-of-xcels-new-mexico-texas-supply-mix

Wind generation spiked as high as 76% of the electricity supply mix in Xcel Energy's Texas-New Mexico service area this spring, as the whole company strives toward 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.

The service territory set a new hourly wind peak of 76% on the morning of May 8, following a daily wind peak record of 64% on April 12, the company said. Wind accounted for nearly 40% of all the service territory's electricity supply throughout April.

In comparison, wind energy accounted for only 26% of Xcel's Texas-New Mexico electricity in 2019, behind natural gas-fired generation at 47% and coal-fired generation at 25%, according to the company. About 2% of the footprint's electricity came from solar-power sources.

Wind additions

Xcel has added 728 MW of wind generation capacity to its Texas-New Mexico system in the last year, spokesman Wes Reeves said July 9. The additions involved the 478-MW Hale Wind Project in Texas, which came online in June 2019, as well as 250 MW from contracts from two wind farms in Texas.

By the end of 2020, Xcel plans to add a further 522 MW at the Sagamore Wind Project in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, Reeves said. Construction began in the fourth quarter of 2019 and the wind farm is expected to be online in December.

Renewable goals

Wind will be a key factor in Xcel's goal to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% by 2030, the company said. It has already reduced the carbon emissions from its Texas-New Mexico system by 47% since 2005.

Xcel is striving for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050. In 2019, it had its largest one-year decline and has reduced its carbon emissions by 44% since 2005.

In 2005, Xcel was 21% carbon free with 56% of its electricity coming from coal, 23% from gas, 12% nuclear, 5% hydro, 3% wind and 1% biomass, according to the company. The carbon-free level grew to 40% by 2017 with 37% of its electricity coming from coal, 23% gas, 21% wind, 13% nuclear, 3% hydro, 2% solar and 1% biomass.

The goal is to reach 61% carbon-free electricity by 2027 with a fuel mix of 38% wind, 21% gas, 19% coal, 12% nuclear, 8% solar and 1% hydro and biomass, it said.