Xcel Energy buys Hale Wind Project in Texas Panhandle

The Texas Panhandle is getting another wind farm to generate electricity for the state and for New Mexico.

Xcel Energy spokesman Wes Reeves said Thursday that the 478-megawatt Hale Wind Project will cost about $735 million build. The company on Tuesday announced the completed purchase from Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources. Terms weren't released.

New Mexico regulators in March approved the overall $1.6 billion plan that calls for building two massive wind farms along the Texas-New Mexico border. The Public Utility Commission of Texas on May 25 also approved the deal.

An Xcel statement says construction should begin this month. Turbines are expected to be delivered in October, with commercial operations by June 2019.

Minneapolis-based Xcel also plans to add a 522-megawatt wind farm complex near Portales, New Mexico.