Power Generation
We make electricity
We operate major generating facilities that use a variety of fuel sources including coal, natural gas, nuclear fuel, water (hydro), oil, and refuse; we also have smaller facilities that generate electricity from the wind and sun. In total, our facilities are capable of producing up to 16,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity. One megawatt of power generated by fossil fuels or nuclear fuel provides enough electricity to serve 750 typical homes.
We generate approximately three-quarters of our power and buy the remainder from other electricity suppliers to meet our customers’ energy needs. We have a diverse fuel mix.
2009 Xcel Energy-owned Generating Facilities
|
Fuel Type |
Unit Type |
Generating Facilities |
Generating Units |
Generating Capacity
(Megawatts*) |
|
Fossil |
Coal |
14 |
30 |
7,951 |
|
Natural Gas |
25 |
64 |
5,783 |
|
Oil |
5 |
18 |
409 |
|
Nuclear |
Nuclear |
2 |
3 |
1604 |
|
Renewable |
Hydro |
27 |
81 |
513 |
|
Wind |
2 |
104 |
127 |
|
Refuse-derived fuel |
3 |
6 |
59 |
|
Total |
|
78 |
306 |
16,446 MW |
*One Megawatt (MW) is one million watts. A watt is a measure of electricity use or production.
Renewable and Non-emitting Energy Sources
We are working to expand our use of renewable and non-emitting energy sources. Renewable energy includes wind, solar, hydro and refuse-derived fuel and biomass. For six consecutive years, the American Wind Energy Association ranked Xcel Energy the nation's No. 1 wind power provider among investor-owned utilities. The ranking is included in the American Wind Energy Association Annual Wind Industry Report for 2009. Of the nation's more than 25,300 megawatts of wind energy, Xcel Energy owns or purchases almost 3,000 megawatts of capacity online. More...
