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June 21, 2005
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| Xcel Energy's planned transmission lines will bring the transmission capacity of Buffalo Ridge to 825 megawatts, more than double the present capacity. (MPR File Photo) |
Marshall, Minn. — (AP) -- The lines, which will run on the southern edge of Buffalo Ridge, which is dotted with wind turbines, would increase transmission capacity by 460 kilowatts, Xcel Energy said.
Work was expected to be done in 2007 and would bring the transmission capacity of Buffalo Ridge to 825 megawatts, more than double the present capacity.
"This approval marks a huge milestone in our efforts to upgrade the transmission infrastructure in southwestern Minnesota," Xcel transmission vice president Doug Jaeger said.
Xcel is investing $160 million in wind-energy improvements. As part of the new transmission line upgrade, the company is also being required to offer 60 megawatts of access to the lines to local investors. For instance, work is moving ahead on a new $32 million to $33 million project west of Lake Benton that will have 150 local investors and generate a new 30 megawatts of power.
"(The new transmission lines) will provide a huge benefit to local people," said Vince Robinson, the enterprise facilitator for the Lincoln County Economic Development Corp.
Robinson is working on the new project, called Community Wind North, and is also involved in studying and planning for other investments.
The new transmission lines will more than double capacity and will help Xcel meet its legislative-mandated generation requirements. But they don't come close, Robinson said, to meeting the potential for wind power on Buffalo Ridge.
While the new lines will boost transmission to 825 megawatts, Robinson said there's potential for 2,000 megawatts of capacity. He also said technology is leading to taller turbines that can capture higher winds at higher elevations without having to be installed on the tallest pieces of land.
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