Colorado now has almost 2.2GW of wind energy in place after developer NextEra Energy Resources began commercial operation of its 400MW Limon I and Limon II projects about 90 miles southeast of Denver.
The facility is comprised of twin 200MW projects each with 125 General Electric 1.6MW wind turbines. Xcel Energy subsidiary Public Service Company of Colorado, the dominant electric utility in the state, is buying all the power under long-term contract. NextEra will own and operate it. “Wind continues to deliver cost-competitive energy,” says Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. He notes that royalty payments to farmers hosting the turbines will help build “strong, vibrant rural communities.”
NextEra estimates that it will generate $130M in taxes and royalty payments over the initial 25 years of operation.
Public Service Company of Colorado President David Eves says the project offers its customers some of the lowest-priced wind energy the utility has seen. “They demonstrate that renewable energy can compete on an economic basis with more traditional forms of generation fuel.”
Limon I and II are NextEra’s fourth and fifth wind projects in Colorado, bringing total nameplate capacity to 975MW, enough power for 450,000 average size homes. For more information, visit www.nexteraenergyresources.com.
