Xcel to Minimize Role of Natural Gas in Power Generating Plans
By Steve Raabe, The Denver Post -- May 6
Natural gas, once the preferred fuel for generating power, is likely to carry a lesser stature in Xcel Energy's power plans.
Although some new natural-gas-fired generation may be added to the utility's
power portfolio over the next decade, its high price will probably make it a
proportionately smaller part of the power pool, Xcel spokesman Steve Roalstad
said Wednesday.
Natural-gas prices have more than doubled in the past 1K years, and Xcel's
forecasts show continued high gas prices with the possibility of more increases.
Xcel's 10-year power plan calls for 2,000 megawatts of new generation to
serve customer growth, an increase of 29 percent from the utility's current
portfolio of self-generated and purchased power.
The increase of 2,000 megawatts would serve the electric needs of about 2
million people.
Xcel said it will seek bids from wind-power developers to add 500 megawatts
of new wind energy, which would make Colorado the nation's third-largest
wind-power state behind California and Texas.
The utility also plans to build a 750-megawatt coal-fired generator at its
Comanche power plant near Pueblo.
Roalstad said Xcel plans to seek PUC permission to charge residential
customers an average of 89 cents more a month to cover construction costs for
the proposed $1.3 billion power plant. Small businesses would pay an average of
$1.89 more a month.
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