Xcel Adding 3 Wind Farms In Minn., ND

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Xcel Energy says it plans to make a significant investment in wind power.

The Minneapolis utility says it will use power from three large wind farms in Minnesota and North Dakota. It will be Xcel's single largest increase in wind generation in the Upper Midwest and will boost its wind capacity by 33 percent.

The utility plans to buy power from two wind farms near Windom, Minn., and Jamestown, N.D., which are being developed by Geronimo Energy of Edina. Xcel will also buy a wind farm planned by RES Americas Development near Austin. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Xcel is seeking approval from Minnesota and North Dakota regulators to acquire the wind energy.