Xcel Energy CEO reaffirms company’s commitment to wind energy

Xcel Energy CEO Ben Fowke reiterated the utility’s commitment to investment in wind energy at the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) 2017 WINDPOWER conference held last week in Anaheim, California.

Fowke also told conference attendees that wind power helps maintain grid reliability and saves customers’ money.

“We’re investing in wind because of the tremendous economic value it brings to our customers,” Fowke said. “Wind energy is saving our customers billions of dollars in fuel savings. We’re also delivering on the environmental front by deeply reducing carbon emissions while providing a clean energy product our customers want.”

Wind generation presently makes up almost 20 percent of Xcel Energy’s energy mix. Earlier this spring in Colorado, Xcel Energy achieved an hourly production peak during which wind supplied over 68 percent of its energy. The company has been the top wind energy provider in the United States for the past 12 years.

Wind power currently supports more than 102,000 jobs in the country and costs related to wind energy have decreased by 66 percent in the past seven years, according to AWEA.

“We have successfully integrated wind energy onto our system over the years without sacrificing reliability and we’re making history in the process,” Fowke said.