Limon Wind Energy Center
| Company type | Power station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wind power |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Limon , United States |
Area served | Colorado |
| Products | Electricity |
| Owner | NextEra Energy Resources |
The Limon Wind Energy Center is a wind power installation with a capacity of 600.6 megawatt (MW), situated near Limon, Colorado. Completed in 2014, it holds the distinction of being the largest wind project within the state. The electricity produced is supplied to Xcel Energy through long-term power purchase agreements.
Facility details
Positioned roughly 80 miles east of Denver, this wind farm extends across western Lincoln County and portions of Elbert County. It is connected to Xcel Energy’s substation near Deer Trail in Arapahoe County by about 45 miles (72 km) of 345 kV transmission lines linking the farm's substations.
The initial phases, Limon I and II, were developed by Blattner Energy and became operational by late 2012. These phases encompass 250 GE turbines rated at 1.6 MW each, delivering a combined capacity of 400 MW over an area exceeding 55,000 acres. To support these units, two new substations were constructed.
In 2014, Limon III expanded the center by adding 200 MW through 118 GE turbines rated at 1.7 MW each, spread across approximately 49,600 acres. A dedicated ten-mile 345 kV transmission line connects Limon III’s substation with that of Limon II.
The entire project was developed, financed, owned, and operated by NextEra Energy Resources, marking a major commitment to renewable energy development in Colorado.
Electricity production
| Year | Limon I (200 MW Unit) |
Limon II (200 MW Unit) |
Limon III (200.6 MW Unit) |
Total Annual MW·h |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 125,797* | 77,870* | 203,667 | |
| 2013 | 680,451 | 601,617 | 1,282,068 | |
| 2014 | 739,245 | 641,947 | 245,588* | 1,626,780 |
| 2015 | 644,237 | 547,054 | 758,937 | 1,950,288 |
| 2016 | 701,195 | 605,023 | 792,326 | 2,098,544 |
| 2017 | 707,472 | 614,526 | 804,281 | 2,126,729 |
| 2018 | 711,321 | 602,542 | 798,806 | 2,112,669 |
| 2019 | 662,304 | 563,228 | 746,764 | 1,972,296 |
| 2020 | 711,128 | 611,274 | 811,678 | 2,134,080 |
| 2021 | 706,730 | 596,174 | 815,399 | 2,118,303 |
| Average Annual Output (2015–2021) | 2,073,200 | |||
(*) denotes partial operational year