Xcel Energy today issued a Request for Proposals for 500 megawatts of wind power to help it meet Minnesota’s Renewable Energy Standard. Under the company’s preferred option, once built, project ownership would be transferred to Xcel Energy. The company will consider resources with commercial operation dates through 2011.

“We support the goal of securing an environmentally sound energy future, and we are committed to achieving this goal in a reliable and timely manner,” said Mark Stoering, Xcel Energy vice president for portfolio strategy and business development. “We also are striving to achieve this goal in a cost-effective manner for our customers.”

Minnesota’s RES requires Xcel Energy to supply 30 percent of its customers’ electricity needs with renewable resources by 2020. To meet Minnesota’s standard and renewable requirements in other jurisdictions the company serves in the Upper Midwest, Xcel Energy plans to add 2,600 megawatts of wind resources to its system by 2020, over and above the 1,300 megawatts of wind resource scheduled to be on line by the end of 2008. At year-end 2007, the company will have more than 1,000 megawatts of wind power on its Minnesota system.

In two recent filings with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission – its 2007 Resource Plan and its Renewable Energy Plan – Xcel Energy proposes to own approximately half of the new wind resources projected for its system. Xcel Energy also reiterated its commitment to develop at least 500 megawatts of community-based wind resources and said it expects to achieve a balanced portfolio of wind resources from various suppliers.

Proposals are due no later than Feb. 29, 2008. The full text of the Request for Proposals is available at www.xcelenergy.com. Click on the “About Energy and Rates” link and then on “Energy RFPs.” Look for the “NSP Wind RFP” link. Alternatively, you can click on the following link: http://www.xcelenergy.com/docs/NSPWindRFP.pdf.

The Minnesota Renewable Energy Plan is available at http://www.xcelenergy.com/docs/RenewableEnergyPlan_12.10.2007.pdf. The Minnesota Resource Plan will be available this week on Xcel Energy’s Web site at www.xcelenergy.com.

Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.