Renewable energy sources continue to work their way into the plans of major energy supplying companies. Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy’s Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS) is openly courting proposals for alternative energy sources as part of its plan to diversity its renewable energy offerings. This solicitation will allow SPS to comply with recently enacted regulatory requirements that call for New Mexico to add renewable generation resources to spur economic development and environmental benefits to the state.
Xcel Energy’s Texas customers also will benefit from additional energy resources because the SPS system is interconnected across state lines, and power is shared between the two states. SPS will require approximately 434,931 megawatt-hours of energy produced by renewable resources, or 10 percent of its New Mexico retail sales, beginning in 2011. This requirement increases to 15 percent of New Mexico retail sales beginning January 1, 2015, followed by another increase beginning January 1, 2020 to 20 percent of New Mexico retail sales.
