Xcel’s Minnesota subsidiary, Northern States Power Company, is accepting proposals for wind projects within the footprint of the Midwest Independent System Operator.
Eligible proposals include power purchase agreements, utility ownership and community-based projects.
To be eligible, wind farms must be able to come online by the end of 2012 – a deadline Xcel set specifically to take advantage of the federal production tax credit.
The credit applies only to projects completed by that date, although Congress may choose to extend the measure.
Minnesota’s renewable portfolio standard requires Northern States Power to derive 30% of electricity sales from renewables, including 24% from wind, by 2020.
Proposals are due to the company by October 15.
It plans to begin negotiations with select bidders in December.
Minnesota is the country’s seventh-ranked state by wind capacity, with 1.8GW in July 2010 according to “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç’s report.
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