AMARILLO, Texas, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Midwest energy giant Xcel said it has agreed to purchase electricity for 15 years from a 20,000-acre wind farm slated for construction near Amarillo, Texas.
The 161-megawatt wind farm is expected to cost $190 million with 110 wind turbines covering 20,000 acres, the Amarillo Globe-News reported Tuesday.
Developers said the wind farm is capable of providing electric power for 54,000 homes, the Austin American-Statesman said.
Spinning Spur Wind, a subsidiary of Cielo Wind Energy, is proceeding with the project thanks to tax deals worked out through federal and local authorities.
"If it wasn't for that, we probably wouldn't have been able to make it a good deal for Xcel ratepayers," said Cielo President and Chief Executive Officer Walt Hornaday.
Construction is expected to begin in July and create up to 200 construction jobs through 2011 and 2012, the Globe-News reported.
