Southwestern utilities in talks over 500-MW Arizona solar plant

Portland, Maine (Platts)--11Jul2006

Xcel Energy and other southwestern utilities are discussing the
possibility of jointly building a 500-MW solar power plant in Arizona, a
spokeswoman for the Minneapolis-based utility company said Tuesday.

Planning is in the early stages, with an upcoming meeting of utility
representatives set in Sacramento, said Xcel Spokeswoman Ethnie Groves. The
utilities range in location from California to Colorado and many key
details -- such as transmission and potential ownership interests -- will be
discussed at the meeting, she said.

For Xcel, the project would help the utility meet Colorado's renewable
portfolio standard, Groves said.

In November 2004, Colorado voters approved a ballot measure calling for
10% of utility electric sales to come from renewable sources by 2015, with 4%
coming from solar technologies.

Utilities in Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico also face
renewable energy requirements.

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