MINNEAPOLIS - Xcel Energy will hold its 2014 annual shareholders' meeting on May 21 in Fargo, N.D., the company announced today.

"We are excited to put a spotlight on Fargo and on all of North Dakota, one of the most economically vibrant areas we serve," said Ben Fowke, Xcel Energy's chairman, president and CEO. Xcel Energy provides electricity to 90,000 customers and natural gas to 48,000 customers in 28 North Dakota communities, including three of the state's largest cities - Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot.

Xcel Energy in recent years has rotated the site of its annual meeting, during which company officials review the previous year's accomplishments, conduct a business meeting and respond to shareholders' questions. Previous meetings have been held in major cities in Xcel Energy's eight-state service territory, including Minneapolis; Denver; Amarillo, Texas; and Eau Claire, Wis. This year's meeting will be held at the Cityscape Ballroom, Radisson Hotel Fargo.

Xcel Energy's business and customer base in North Dakota are expanding due to the shale oil and natural gas boom in the Bakken region near Minot and developments such as establishment of a Federal Aviation Administration test site for unmanned aerial systems (drones) and a new University of North Dakota medical school building, both in Grand Forks, and a reinvigorated downtown and a growing NDSU Research and Technology Park, both in Fargo.

"During the past three years, we have invested nearly $70 million in new transmission lines and other infrastructure upgrades in North Dakota to support the state's strong economic growth," Fowke said.

"We've been serving customers in North Dakota for more than 100 years, and Xcel Energy and our employees are proud to support and be part of the communities we serve," Fowke said, noting that Xcel Energy and its employees are major contributors to and leaders of local United Way campaigns, among other volunteer efforts.

_______________________________

Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.

distributed by