WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Geronimo Wind Energy, a utility-scale wind energy developer, Friday announced the signing of a long-term Renewable Energy Purchase Agreement with Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL), for a total of 200 megawatts of wind energy to be generated at the Prairie Rose Wind Farm.
The Prairie Rose Wind Farm is a 200 megawatt wind energy facility in Rock and Pipestone Counties, Minnesota. The energy generated from the project will power the equivalent of 60,000 homes.
Judy Poferl, president and CEO of Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy company, said,' We are pleased that we were able to continue our track record of bringing on wind resources that are cost competitive, even in this period of lower natural gas prices.'
Further, Poferl said the project allowed Xcel to capture the benefit of federal tax credits set to expire at the end of 2012 and that it would be able to meet aggressive renewable energy requirements economically.
Xcel Energy has filed the contract with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for approval. Construction on the project is expected to begin by the end of 2011 and will be completed by the end of 2012.
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