Carlsbad power grid receives investment

A major electricity provider in southeast New Mexico and West Texas invested $7.1 million this month into the Carlsbad-area power grid in response to ongoing growth in local demand for electricity.

The city and surrounding area continued to grow, read a news release from Xcel Energy, and the upgrades to the electrical infrastructure will not only respond to present increase demand but prepare the area for expected continued growth.

James Lackey, Xcel manager for community and economic development, said the company has increased investment in rural areas of New Mexico where industries such as oil and gas grew in electricity usage.

“A large amount of our New Mexico investment has been made in rural areas where our core industries are driving growth,” he said. “But this growth would not be possible without the businesses in places such as Carlsbad that support these industries, and the workers who make their homes here, so it’s critical that our population centers are served by a first-class power system.”

Beginning in 2019, the work included increasing capacity of existing lines, while adding new lines and substations intended to overcome congestion during peak electricity use hours.