Xcel Energy sending support to Florida to help with Hurricane Ian restoration efforts

(ABC 6 News) – Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy announced on Wednesday that they are sending support to Florida to help with restoration efforts after Hurricane Ian made landfall.

The company says they will provide approximately 270 contract workers to help restore power with that number possibly growing.

The line workers are from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and New Mexico.

“When the call for help comes in, Xcel Energy and the entire electric industry answers that call,” says Bob Frenzel, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy. “When our customers experience adverse conditions, we know that they would do the same for us. It’s imperative that the electric companies work together to ensure the resiliency of our essential product as storm volatility increases.”

Several other utility crews from across Minnesota, including Rochester and Austin, will also help with restoration efforts in Florida.

RELATED: Rochester, Austin Utilities crews helping with Hurricane Ian relief

Xcel Energy is part of the Edison Electric Institute’s Mutual Assistance program.

Following major storms that bring significant outages, electric companies use this program – a voluntary partnership of electric companies from across the country – to help speed restoration.