General Electric plans massive Colorado wind project

A contract between Xcel Energy and General Electric Wind in October 2002 paved the way for the construction of the nation's third largest wind farm near Lamar, Colo.

Wind's competitive generation costs persuaded the Colorado Public Utilities Commission in 2001 to rule that Xcel Energy should use a proposed major wind plant near Lamar to supply electricity to Colorado consumers. The wind farm will save Xcel's ratepayers nearly $7 million and will help protect consumers from rising natural gas costs.

At 162 MW, the new wind farm will produce enough electricity each year to power 75,000 homes. The $160 million project is expected to bring 300 construction jobs to the county, up to 20 permanent jobs and boost Prower County's property tax base by 30 percent.

Previously, wind power has been a tiny player in Colorado, supplying just one percent of the state's electricity, in spite of significant resources in the southeast part of the state, where Lamar is located.