Heinrich Celebrates Completion Of Xcel Energy’s Sagamore Wind Project

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined Xcel Energy to celebrate the completion of the Sagamore Wind Project, one of the largest wind farms ever built in New Mexico.

“The completion of the Sagamore Wind Project is proof that eastern New Mexico is rapidly becoming one of the best places in the world to produce wind energy,” said Heinrich. “As we look for the best ways to rebuild our economy in New Mexico and across the nation in the face of the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, we absolutely need to double down on wind energy. Wind projects like Sagamore bring millions of dollars of private investment to our state and create hundreds of new jobs in our rural communities. Let’s build on the success of Sagamore and keep moving our energy economy forward.”

Senator Heinrich has been a leading advocate of tax credits to support the development of wind and solar energy. He spearheaded efforts in 2015 to secure a multi-year extension of wind and solar production and investment tax credits that encourage companies and investors to support major projects like the Sagamore Wind Project. Over the last few years, New Mexico has seen an increase in construction of more utility-scale wind farms made possible by those pro-growth tax policies.

A workforce that peaked at around 500 workers built Sagamore starting in December 2019, and approximately 25 full-time positions have been created to operate and maintain the facility going forward. Tax revenues and landowner payments generated by Sagamore will provide more than $234 million in local and state benefits over the 25-year life of the wind plant, providing a major economic boost and further developing New Mexico’s expanding clean energy economy. Additional information about Sagamore is available at xcelenergy.com/Sagamore