Dive Brief:
- After spending $95 million on natural gas and electric conservation programs in 2013, Xcel Energy's electric sales decreased by 1.7% in Minnesota.
- An Xcel program subsidizing compact fluorescent and LED lightbulbs at retail made up about 25% of the increase in residential efficiency.
- Next year, Xcel is planning to provide homeowners with personalized energy reports that compare their energy use to neighbors and give them tips on how to save more. “We can save about 2 percent on a customer’s energy use, on average, with this program,” said Deb Sundin, director of demand-side management for Xcel.
Dive Insight:
Xcel estimates it has avoided building 10 "modest-sized" power plants since 1990 due to its energy efficiency efforts, according to the Star Tribune.
“Over time, this drives an incredible amount of efficiency,” said Sundin. “It really helps us contain growth, which means we don’t have to build new power plants out in the future.”