Xcel Energy new wind farm in New Mexico

Xcel Energy has poured the first 66 foundations for what will be a 240 wind turbines in a wind farm in eastern New Mexico.

Xcel Energy recently began construction on a $900 million wind farm southeast of Portales, New Mexico, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports.

The 522-megawatt Sagamore Wind Power Project will be the largest single wind energy facility in New Mexico by the time it’s completed later this year.

Sagamore will produce enough electricity to power 194,000 homes annually. Xcel spokesman Wes Reeves says the company will use the New Mexico and Texas wind power to serve its customers in those two states.

It is expected to be able to meet the annual electricity needs of nearly 194,000 homes, according to Xcel.

The project will support more than 300 workers in construction as well as 30 full-time jobs.