<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:01a068fc-0016-7a02-aba2-c1046c006b01,g:567cb0c5-530c-4697-a910-36bdc691cbcf-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#CoverPage"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77e1-9191-b90602b483a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityListingsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityListingsTable_01a068fc-028e-7bcd-a00d-1a637f4df934" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityListingsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77e1-9191-b90602b483a9" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityListingsTable_01a068fc-028e-7bcd-a00d-1a637f4df934" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a068fc-028e-7d5d-9312-12845b168a20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsTable_01a068fc-028e-7bcd-a00d-1a637f4df934" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a068fc-028e-7d5d-9312-12845b168a20" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d5d-9312-12845b168a20_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a068fc-028e-7d5d-9312-12845b168a20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d5d-9312-12845b168a20_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a068fc-028e-7093-85d9-500a88fde535" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a068fc-028e-7d5d-9312-12845b168a20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a068fc-028e-7093-85d9-500a88fde535" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a068fc-028e-7719-a61d-9f9087d1f931" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a068fc-028e-7093-85d9-500a88fde535" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a068fc-028e-7719-a61d-9f9087d1f931" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A6.25JuniorSubordinatedNotesDue2085Member_01a068fc-028e-72ad-a9ef-b852177e59fa" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A6.25JuniorSubordinatedNotesDue2085Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a068fc-028e-7093-85d9-500a88fde535" xlink:to="loc_xel_A6.25JuniorSubordinatedNotesDue2085Member_01a068fc-028e-72ad-a9ef-b852177e59fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_01a068fc-028e-723c-96c8-df016fbe46ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77e1-9191-b90602b483a9" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_01a068fc-028e-723c-96c8-df016fbe46ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_01a068fc-028e-753a-af1c-5c4f5e165764" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77e1-9191-b90602b483a9" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_01a068fc-028e-753a-af1c-5c4f5e165764" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_01a068fc-028e-77f6-9940-d4c97d9d8bfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77e1-9191-b90602b483a9" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_01a068fc-028e-77f6-9940-d4c97d9d8bfe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMMONSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYUNAUDITED" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMMONSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYUNAUDITED"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMMONSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYUNAUDITED" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7827-b1f9-73acc1b5203e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_01a068fc-028e-7859-bcc1-7eee880c9079" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7827-b1f9-73acc1b5203e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_01a068fc-028e-7859-bcc1-7eee880c9079" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a068fc-028e-739b-93ac-16a4051f6bc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_01a068fc-028e-7859-bcc1-7eee880c9079" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a068fc-028e-739b-93ac-16a4051f6bc4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-028e-739b-93ac-16a4051f6bc4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a068fc-028e-739b-93ac-16a4051f6bc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-028e-739b-93ac-16a4051f6bc4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d8b-8338-443892a3e06d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a068fc-028e-739b-93ac-16a4051f6bc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d8b-8338-443892a3e06d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a068fc-028e-7d62-8c67-a57ad8980084" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d8b-8338-443892a3e06d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a068fc-028e-7d62-8c67-a57ad8980084" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_01a068fc-028e-7dad-af97-5b24560ec416" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d8b-8338-443892a3e06d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_01a068fc-028e-7dad-af97-5b24560ec416" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_01a068fc-028e-7175-ad2d-5eb61d541acf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d8b-8338-443892a3e06d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_01a068fc-028e-7175-ad2d-5eb61d541acf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_01a068fc-028e-727b-944b-841c6ac585e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d8b-8338-443892a3e06d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_01a068fc-028e-727b-944b-841c6ac585e3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a068fc-028e-7ca1-a35d-183ded19c2e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7827-b1f9-73acc1b5203e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a068fc-028e-7ca1-a35d-183ded19c2e7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_01a068fc-028e-7672-bf1d-98d5b7f0cf04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a068fc-028e-7ca1-a35d-183ded19c2e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_01a068fc-028e-7672-bf1d-98d5b7f0cf04" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a068fc-028e-7d80-a1da-763a9367f125" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a068fc-028e-7ca1-a35d-183ded19c2e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a068fc-028e-7d80-a1da-763a9367f125" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_01a068fc-028e-7ca8-a24a-7a1a0f11bc25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a068fc-028e-7ca1-a35d-183ded19c2e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_01a068fc-028e-7ca8-a24a-7a1a0f11bc25" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_01a068fc-028e-73a6-9207-767415b6c63b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a068fc-028e-7ca1-a35d-183ded19c2e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_01a068fc-028e-73a6-9207-767415b6c63b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_01a068fc-028e-7f53-aa22-5739e2253cdc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a068fc-028e-7ca1-a35d-183ded19c2e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_01a068fc-028e-7f53-aa22-5739e2253cdc" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_01a068fc-028e-7ce0-bd82-0ef304abc0f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a068fc-028e-7ca1-a35d-183ded19c2e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_01a068fc-028e-7ce0-bd82-0ef304abc0f7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_01a068fc-028e-734f-a851-a9c0d1391505" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a068fc-028e-7ca1-a35d-183ded19c2e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_01a068fc-028e-734f-a851-a9c0d1391505" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_01a068fc-028e-7aa1-b1ef-4b623d7ebbcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a068fc-028e-7ca1-a35d-183ded19c2e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_01a068fc-028e-7aa1-b1ef-4b623d7ebbcc" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_01a068fc-028e-795c-99f7-00bf680b7f08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a068fc-028e-7ca1-a35d-183ded19c2e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_01a068fc-028e-795c-99f7-00bf680b7f08" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_01a068fc-028e-7bf8-afb4-f8745c9d8046" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a068fc-028e-7f45-9dcb-42aa8e393b13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/SelectedBalanceSheetDataSelectedBalanceSheetDataInventoriesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#SelectedBalanceSheetDataSelectedBalanceSheetDataInventoriesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/SelectedBalanceSheetDataSelectedBalanceSheetDataInventoriesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77a2-9133-a3f4ee46fb54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTable_01a068fc-028e-7352-9624-e327c671e405" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77a2-9133-a3f4ee46fb54" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTable_01a068fc-028e-7352-9624-e327c671e405" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_01a068fc-028e-73e2-9b79-485e0dad5900" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTable_01a068fc-028e-7352-9624-e327c671e405" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_01a068fc-028e-73e2-9b79-485e0dad5900" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-73e2-9b79-485e0dad5900_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_01a068fc-028e-73e2-9b79-485e0dad5900" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-73e2-9b79-485e0dad5900_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7ef1-98e4-a067b0d1d807" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryAxis_01a068fc-028e-73e2-9b79-485e0dad5900" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7ef1-98e4-a067b0d1d807" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventorySuppliesMember_01a068fc-028e-7158-932b-8613ada275b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventorySuppliesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7ef1-98e4-a067b0d1d807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventorySuppliesMember_01a068fc-028e-7158-932b-8613ada275b3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryFuelMember_01a068fc-028e-7961-8985-fea4e042919d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryFuelMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7ef1-98e4-a067b0d1d807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryFuelMember_01a068fc-028e-7961-8985-fea4e042919d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryNaturalGasMember_01a068fc-028e-7e87-8719-880f15cd64ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryNaturalGasMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7ef1-98e4-a067b0d1d807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryNaturalGasMember_01a068fc-028e-7e87-8719-880f15cd64ac" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventory_01a068fc-028e-7a89-92f9-afb00f4f8a6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77a2-9133-a3f4ee46fb54" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventory_01a068fc-028e-7a89-92f9-afb00f4f8a6c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryNet_01a068fc-028e-7310-acca-f4fc3d0a56ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77a2-9133-a3f4ee46fb54" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventoryNet_01a068fc-028e-7310-acca-f4fc3d0a56ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/SelectedBalanceSheetDataPropertyPlantandEquipmentNetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#SelectedBalanceSheetDataPropertyPlantandEquipmentNetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/SelectedBalanceSheetDataPropertyPlantandEquipmentNetDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a068fc-028e-76ee-9939-66453eba633a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_01a068fc-028e-7cfe-b64b-07f351dadccf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a068fc-028e-76ee-9939-66453eba633a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_01a068fc-028e-7cfe-b64b-07f351dadccf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7340-ba34-9326f1319677" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_01a068fc-028e-7cfe-b64b-07f351dadccf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7340-ba34-9326f1319677" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UtilityPlantDomain_01a068fc-028e-7340-ba34-9326f1319677_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UtilityPlantDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7340-ba34-9326f1319677" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UtilityPlantDomain_01a068fc-028e-7340-ba34-9326f1319677_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UtilityPlantDomain_01a068fc-028e-79c4-85d5-af2c6dad85cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UtilityPlantDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7340-ba34-9326f1319677" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UtilityPlantDomain_01a068fc-028e-79c4-85d5-af2c6dad85cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ElectricityGenerationPlantNonNuclearMember_01a068fc-028e-7fa7-b3fc-b0111a62a57a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ElectricityGenerationPlantNonNuclearMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UtilityPlantDomain_01a068fc-028e-79c4-85d5-af2c6dad85cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ElectricityGenerationPlantNonNuclearMember_01a068fc-028e-7fa7-b3fc-b0111a62a57a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasProcessingPlantMember_01a068fc-028e-7dc0-87ea-aca59800ce38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NaturalGasProcessingPlantMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UtilityPlantDomain_01a068fc-028e-79c4-85d5-af2c6dad85cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasProcessingPlantMember_01a068fc-028e-7dc0-87ea-aca59800ce38" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentGenerationOrProcessing_01a068fc-028e-7f91-a34d-e0d8709752d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentGenerationOrProcessing"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a068fc-028e-76ee-9939-66453eba633a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentGenerationOrProcessing_01a068fc-028e-7f91-a34d-e0d8709752d2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentCommonAndOtherPropertyPlantAndEquipment_01a068fc-028e-7c8c-b4a9-a812fffc5448" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentCommonAndOtherPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a068fc-028e-76ee-9939-66453eba633a" xlink:to="loc_xel_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentCommonAndOtherPropertyPlantAndEquipment_01a068fc-028e-7c8c-b4a9-a812fffc5448" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentPlantToBeRetired_01a068fc-028e-7214-8740-1c05357872c5" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentPlantToBeRetired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a068fc-028e-76ee-9939-66453eba633a" xlink:to="loc_xel_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentPlantToBeRetired_01a068fc-028e-7214-8740-1c05357872c5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentConstructionWorkInProgress_01a068fc-028e-7f93-b128-77f6c277d079" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentConstructionWorkInProgress"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a068fc-028e-76ee-9939-66453eba633a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentConstructionWorkInProgress_01a068fc-028e-7f93-b128-77f6c277d079" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentPlantInService_01a068fc-028e-7c22-9d1d-46fe4f4c8fd5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentPlantInService"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a068fc-028e-76ee-9939-66453eba633a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentPlantInService_01a068fc-028e-7c22-9d1d-46fe4f4c8fd5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAccumulatedDepreciation_01a068fc-028e-7a5c-9278-8329ed81a1e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAccumulatedDepreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a068fc-028e-76ee-9939-66453eba633a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAccumulatedDepreciation_01a068fc-028e-7a5c-9278-8329ed81a1e3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentFuel_01a068fc-028e-7a45-9e77-a89a60202106" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentFuel"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a068fc-028e-76ee-9939-66453eba633a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentFuel_01a068fc-028e-7a45-9e77-a89a60202106" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAccumulatedAmortization_01a068fc-028e-708d-ab39-e2854f608141" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a068fc-028e-76ee-9939-66453eba633a" xlink:to="loc_xel_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAccumulatedAmortization_01a068fc-028e-708d-ab39-e2854f608141" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_01a068fc-028e-7026-99b5-a4284a7f9f98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilityPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a068fc-028e-76ee-9939-66453eba633a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_01a068fc-028e-7026-99b5-a4284a7f9f98" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/ShortTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#ShortTermDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/ShortTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7435-88e6-ebe9685dddbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7070-a60a-8248e1b61dc7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7435-88e6-ebe9685dddbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7070-a60a-8248e1b61dc7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-7174-a814-baa8d292de07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7070-a60a-8248e1b61dc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-7174-a814-baa8d292de07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7174-a814-baa8d292de07_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-7174-a814-baa8d292de07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7174-a814-baa8d292de07_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-715c-8de6-d6b1429c7151" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-7174-a814-baa8d292de07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-715c-8de6-d6b1429c7151" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_01a068fc-028e-74da-88d9-7a49180312a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-715c-8de6-d6b1429c7151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_01a068fc-028e-74da-88d9-7a49180312a0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_01a068fc-028e-731d-9650-8d8830011509" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-715c-8de6-d6b1429c7151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_01a068fc-028e-731d-9650-8d8830011509" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7991-9f4a-f379ef39d58e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7070-a60a-8248e1b61dc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7991-9f4a-f379ef39d58e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7991-9f4a-f379ef39d58e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7991-9f4a-f379ef39d58e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7991-9f4a-f379ef39d58e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7230-83ae-8bcbcb1a0c49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7991-9f4a-f379ef39d58e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7230-83ae-8bcbcb1a0c49" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7667-9bb9-de57546d4619" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7070-a60a-8248e1b61dc7" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7667-9bb9-de57546d4619" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7667-9bb9-de57546d4619_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7667-9bb9-de57546d4619" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7667-9bb9-de57546d4619_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-72fc-b641-d98a41ba1e98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7667-9bb9-de57546d4619" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-72fc-b641-d98a41ba1e98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_XCELENERGYINCMember_01a068fc-028e-7a9e-aae7-15446d34bc01" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_XCELENERGYINCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-72fc-b641-d98a41ba1e98" xlink:to="loc_xel_XCELENERGYINCMember_01a068fc-028e-7a9e-aae7-15446d34bc01" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7c3d-87a2-38d29276d922" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7435-88e6-ebe9685dddbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7c3d-87a2-38d29276d922" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings_01a068fc-028e-7010-b14c-53bd8dd47f58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7435-88e6-ebe9685dddbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings_01a068fc-028e-7010-b14c-53bd8dd47f58" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShorttermDebtAverageOutstandingAmount_01a068fc-028e-76aa-bc1f-08fbc2a435f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShorttermDebtAverageOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7435-88e6-ebe9685dddbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShorttermDebtAverageOutstandingAmount_01a068fc-028e-76aa-bc1f-08fbc2a435f9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShorttermDebtMaximumAmountOutstandingDuringPeriod_01a068fc-028e-7e80-af69-f7f20d42a817" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShorttermDebtMaximumAmountOutstandingDuringPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7435-88e6-ebe9685dddbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShorttermDebtMaximumAmountOutstandingDuringPeriod_01a068fc-028e-7e80-af69-f7f20d42a817" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod_01a068fc-028e-75e3-9775-4f0215b8b2c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7435-88e6-ebe9685dddbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod_01a068fc-028e-75e3-9775-4f0215b8b2c0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_01a068fc-028e-7a9e-9156-3c0f0cf7d586" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7435-88e6-ebe9685dddbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_01a068fc-028e-7a9e-9156-3c0f0cf7d586" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a068fc-028e-7eee-809e-39790b5ed1fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7435-88e6-ebe9685dddbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a068fc-028e-7eee-809e-39790b5ed1fb" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/LettersofCreditDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#LettersofCreditDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/LettersofCreditDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7b4d-ae70-62bec0e63236" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_01a068fc-028e-7aeb-8c86-b8e89104522e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7b4d-ae70-62bec0e63236" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_01a068fc-028e-7aeb-8c86-b8e89104522e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-7996-b0fa-fa7a44543044" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_01a068fc-028e-7aeb-8c86-b8e89104522e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-7996-b0fa-fa7a44543044" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7996-b0fa-fa7a44543044_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-7996-b0fa-fa7a44543044" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7996-b0fa-fa7a44543044_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7eaa-82b4-5c74c3b2b9f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-7996-b0fa-fa7a44543044" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7eaa-82b4-5c74c3b2b9f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_01a068fc-028e-7ee2-a30e-cb14f42bea68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7eaa-82b4-5c74c3b2b9f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_01a068fc-028e-7ee2-a30e-cb14f42bea68" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7e7d-9eba-a4d8c65b78ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_01a068fc-028e-7aeb-8c86-b8e89104522e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7e7d-9eba-a4d8c65b78ff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7e7d-9eba-a4d8c65b78ff_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7e7d-9eba-a4d8c65b78ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7e7d-9eba-a4d8c65b78ff_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7836-8d68-4c9c3f5cfddb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7e7d-9eba-a4d8c65b78ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7836-8d68-4c9c3f5cfddb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ContinuingLetterOfCreditAgreementMember_01a068fc-028e-7509-98c2-5faa3a8688e2" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ContinuingLetterOfCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7836-8d68-4c9c3f5cfddb" xlink:to="loc_xel_ContinuingLetterOfCreditAgreementMember_01a068fc-028e-7509-98c2-5faa3a8688e2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_BilateralCreditAgreementMember_01a068fc-028e-7454-8a34-6fb0197a362f" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_BilateralCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7836-8d68-4c9c3f5cfddb" xlink:to="loc_xel_BilateralCreditAgreementMember_01a068fc-028e-7454-8a34-6fb0197a362f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7f6b-8404-0f4749928692" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_01a068fc-028e-7aeb-8c86-b8e89104522e" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7f6b-8404-0f4749928692" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7f6b-8404-0f4749928692_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7f6b-8404-0f4749928692" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7f6b-8404-0f4749928692_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-79b8-a4fa-4ee27d9f8371" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7f6b-8404-0f4749928692" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-79b8-a4fa-4ee27d9f8371" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NspMinnesotaMember_01a068fc-028e-7cb9-8255-fd2d9b4a7244" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NspMinnesotaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-79b8-a4fa-4ee27d9f8371" xlink:to="loc_xel_NspMinnesotaMember_01a068fc-028e-7cb9-8255-fd2d9b4a7244" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PscoMember_01a068fc-028e-7803-8195-b54281cdef8f" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PscoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-79b8-a4fa-4ee27d9f8371" xlink:to="loc_xel_PscoMember_01a068fc-028e-7803-8195-b54281cdef8f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SpsMember_01a068fc-028e-7eb1-a346-2d7f4f9c58a3" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SpsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-79b8-a4fa-4ee27d9f8371" xlink:to="loc_xel_SpsMember_01a068fc-028e-7eb1-a346-2d7f4f9c58a3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_XCELENERGYINCMember_01a068fc-028e-7f43-8852-81c76ec9f112" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_XCELENERGYINCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-79b8-a4fa-4ee27d9f8371" xlink:to="loc_xel_XCELENERGYINCMember_01a068fc-028e-7f43-8852-81c76ec9f112" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings_01a068fc-028e-7c1d-a9fd-3eedcc120550" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7b4d-ae70-62bec0e63236" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings_01a068fc-028e-7c1d-a9fd-3eedcc120550" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7c49-8760-91f56c0d4db2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7b4d-ae70-62bec0e63236" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7c49-8760-91f56c0d4db2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7739-b45c-0f36f5553a37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_01a068fc-028e-7922-b637-77b9c7677704" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7d1a-8510-0547c32e28e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d1a-8510-0547c32e28e8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a89-8b45-e412cf270e46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ContinuingLetterOfCreditAgreementMember_01a068fc-028e-744a-bcaa-7a9ee6548f0f" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ContinuingLetterOfCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-79cb-8a27-ca184f24367d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-79cb-8a27-ca184f24367d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-79c4-8554-1aa59b304c55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_01a068fc-028e-75e0-89c5-f32d82093350" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-776e-bd06-451113b66795" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-776e-bd06-451113b66795_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-740f-8533-007a7c08e7bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings_01a068fc-028e-776d-be53-405cbdb9ff76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsRevolvingCreditFacilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsRevolvingCreditFacilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsRevolvingCreditFacilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7664-b7ed-60f916abc6f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_01a068fc-028e-7d34-9aa8-ddd65d87a4bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7664-b7ed-60f916abc6f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_01a068fc-028e-7d34-9aa8-ddd65d87a4bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7941-a80b-c8c07774ccb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_01a068fc-028e-7d34-9aa8-ddd65d87a4bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7941-a80b-c8c07774ccb4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7941-a80b-c8c07774ccb4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7941-a80b-c8c07774ccb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7941-a80b-c8c07774ccb4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d35-a6a6-0684f511fc7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7941-a80b-c8c07774ccb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d35-a6a6-0684f511fc7a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a068fc-028e-7532-b3b7-e1438a286507" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d35-a6a6-0684f511fc7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a068fc-028e-7532-b3b7-e1438a286507" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-028e-71f5-90d1-b0e2f18c7e23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_01a068fc-028e-7d34-9aa8-ddd65d87a4bd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-028e-71f5-90d1-b0e2f18c7e23" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-71f5-90d1-b0e2f18c7e23_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-028e-71f5-90d1-b0e2f18c7e23" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-71f5-90d1-b0e2f18c7e23_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-7593-9b09-40ce0705c1e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-028e-71f5-90d1-b0e2f18c7e23" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-7593-9b09-40ce0705c1e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_01a068fc-028e-75a1-aaf1-04c89f1e7493" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ParentCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-7593-9b09-40ce0705c1e7" xlink:to="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_01a068fc-028e-75a1-aaf1-04c89f1e7493" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7f85-98da-58576e9dc260" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_01a068fc-028e-7d34-9aa8-ddd65d87a4bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7f85-98da-58576e9dc260" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7f85-98da-58576e9dc260_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7f85-98da-58576e9dc260" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7f85-98da-58576e9dc260_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-70f2-9489-b87f867d34c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7f85-98da-58576e9dc260" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-70f2-9489-b87f867d34c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PscoMember_01a068fc-028e-7a7d-b9d9-246883aa8386" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PscoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-70f2-9489-b87f867d34c7" xlink:to="loc_xel_PscoMember_01a068fc-028e-7a7d-b9d9-246883aa8386" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NspMinnesotaMember_01a068fc-028e-7d00-b375-4face12a5521" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NspMinnesotaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-70f2-9489-b87f867d34c7" xlink:to="loc_xel_NspMinnesotaMember_01a068fc-028e-7d00-b375-4face12a5521" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SpsMember_01a068fc-028e-76a0-9a9a-68ba16d971cd" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SpsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-70f2-9489-b87f867d34c7" xlink:to="loc_xel_SpsMember_01a068fc-028e-76a0-9a9a-68ba16d971cd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NSPWisconsinMember_01a068fc-028e-7d4f-b567-a7df45bedcf8" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NSPWisconsinMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-70f2-9489-b87f867d34c7" xlink:to="loc_xel_NSPWisconsinMember_01a068fc-028e-7d4f-b567-a7df45bedcf8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7c18-8b6d-e55aac0c31be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7664-b7ed-60f916abc6f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7c18-8b6d-e55aac0c31be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount_01a068fc-028e-74d8-a8a0-24d235b2bbe1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7664-b7ed-60f916abc6f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount_01a068fc-028e-74d8-a8a0-24d235b2bbe1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-72f3-a073-b265e0a4e2af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7664-b7ed-60f916abc6f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-72f3-a073-b265e0a4e2af" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_01a068fc-028e-73ac-a839-23b1a6686211" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7664-b7ed-60f916abc6f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_01a068fc-028e-73ac-a839-23b1a6686211" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PeriodEndSettlementPriceInCash_01a068fc-028e-7fe1-b45a-3d2d481adcf8" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PeriodEndSettlementPriceInCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7664-b7ed-60f916abc6f9" xlink:to="loc_xel_PeriodEndSettlementPriceInCash_01a068fc-028e-7fe1-b45a-3d2d481adcf8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PeriodEndNetCashSettlementPrice_01a068fc-028e-793e-9be6-cb1f0181f1c2" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PeriodEndNetCashSettlementPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7664-b7ed-60f916abc6f9" xlink:to="loc_xel_PeriodEndNetCashSettlementPrice_01a068fc-028e-793e-9be6-cb1f0181f1c2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PeriodEndNetShareSettlementPrice_01a068fc-028e-7888-972e-40577883894c" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PeriodEndNetShareSettlementPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7664-b7ed-60f916abc6f9" xlink:to="loc_xel_PeriodEndNetShareSettlementPrice_01a068fc-028e-7888-972e-40577883894c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ExpectedSettlementPrice_01a068fc-028e-7b9e-85c8-7b3b5f5959dc" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ExpectedSettlementPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7664-b7ed-60f916abc6f9" xlink:to="loc_xel_ExpectedSettlementPrice_01a068fc-028e-7b9e-85c8-7b3b5f5959dc" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_Numberofextensionyoucanrequest_01a068fc-028e-7ec1-8fd2-54c97eb73ebd" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_Numberofextensionyoucanrequest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7664-b7ed-60f916abc6f9" xlink:to="loc_xel_Numberofextensionyoucanrequest_01a068fc-028e-7ec1-8fd2-54c97eb73ebd" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsTermLoanDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsTermLoanDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsTermLoanDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ac0-97d4-0de4e84bc2a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7305-8b6b-5f9308724659" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ac0-97d4-0de4e84bc2a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7305-8b6b-5f9308724659" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-797a-9df3-42647d874759" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7305-8b6b-5f9308724659" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-797a-9df3-42647d874759" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-797a-9df3-42647d874759_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-797a-9df3-42647d874759" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-797a-9df3-42647d874759_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7df5-906d-060ce40d03b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-797a-9df3-42647d874759" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7df5-906d-060ce40d03b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_01a068fc-028e-79f2-979c-1e5da2b0fd94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7df5-906d-060ce40d03b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_01a068fc-028e-79f2-979c-1e5da2b0fd94" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtMember_01a068fc-028e-7328-94e5-bc344cc3f533" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7df5-906d-060ce40d03b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtMember_01a068fc-028e-7328-94e5-bc344cc3f533" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-028e-73d6-996e-3d1db44f075b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7305-8b6b-5f9308724659" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-028e-73d6-996e-3d1db44f075b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-73d6-996e-3d1db44f075b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-028e-73d6-996e-3d1db44f075b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-73d6-996e-3d1db44f075b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-79b3-8311-d9dfe4e56c31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-028e-73d6-996e-3d1db44f075b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-79b3-8311-d9dfe4e56c31" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_01a068fc-028e-7634-a5a0-bb004dbc1acb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ParentCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-79b3-8311-d9dfe4e56c31" xlink:to="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_01a068fc-028e-7634-a5a0-bb004dbc1acb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7736-94e8-da0913ee3ffa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7305-8b6b-5f9308724659" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7736-94e8-da0913ee3ffa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7736-94e8-da0913ee3ffa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7736-94e8-da0913ee3ffa" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7736-94e8-da0913ee3ffa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7942-a012-f4b1b659853a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-7736-94e8-da0913ee3ffa" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7942-a012-f4b1b659853a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NspMinnesotaMember_01a068fc-028e-7adb-83dc-ba7862fda5ea" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NspMinnesotaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7942-a012-f4b1b659853a" xlink:to="loc_xel_NspMinnesotaMember_01a068fc-028e-7adb-83dc-ba7862fda5ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PscoMember_01a068fc-028e-7342-b2b8-6c7dabb14c49" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PscoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7942-a012-f4b1b659853a" xlink:to="loc_xel_PscoMember_01a068fc-028e-7342-b2b8-6c7dabb14c49" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_XCELENERGYINCMember_01a068fc-028e-72a8-9130-43206534dd28" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_XCELENERGYINCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7942-a012-f4b1b659853a" xlink:to="loc_xel_XCELENERGYINCMember_01a068fc-028e-72a8-9130-43206534dd28" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NSPWisconsinMember_01a068fc-028e-7c0c-ab00-008a7de07837" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NSPWisconsinMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7942-a012-f4b1b659853a" xlink:to="loc_xel_NSPWisconsinMember_01a068fc-028e-7c0c-ab00-008a7de07837" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SpsMember_01a068fc-028e-7edf-8996-c99bfd5e2b81" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SpsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-7942-a012-f4b1b659853a" xlink:to="loc_xel_SpsMember_01a068fc-028e-7edf-8996-c99bfd5e2b81" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7dde-bde4-68665240df76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7305-8b6b-5f9308724659" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7dde-bde4-68665240df76" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7dde-bde4-68665240df76_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7dde-bde4-68665240df76" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7dde-bde4-68665240df76_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a92-a825-828d16e7094b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7dde-bde4-68665240df76" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a92-a825-828d16e7094b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A364DayTermLoanMember_01a068fc-028e-7cd2-9505-994b870cdd75" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A364DayTermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a92-a825-828d16e7094b" xlink:to="loc_xel_A364DayTermLoanMember_01a068fc-028e-7cd2-9505-994b870cdd75" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7bda-bb77-a37eaaf46b89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ac0-97d4-0de4e84bc2a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7bda-bb77-a37eaaf46b89" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings_01a068fc-028e-7c9a-a585-9c3cdf9b92a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ac0-97d4-0de4e84bc2a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings_01a068fc-028e-7c9a-a585-9c3cdf9b92a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7a3d-83d3-9b1fbdb51965" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ac0-97d4-0de4e84bc2a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7a3d-83d3-9b1fbdb51965" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a068fc-028e-78e8-9b82-44faba363ff4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ac0-97d4-0de4e84bc2a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a068fc-028e-78e8-9b82-44faba363ff4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_01a068fc-028e-740f-ba2d-34eb61e8ef1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ac0-97d4-0de4e84bc2a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_01a068fc-028e-740f-ba2d-34eb61e8ef1e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_01a068fc-028e-7c1e-87c2-8b33da9a02b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ac0-97d4-0de4e84bc2a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_01a068fc-028e-7c1e-87c2-8b33da9a02b6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_RequiredDebtToTotalCapitalizationRatio_01a068fc-028e-7acb-b547-d37dd2723eb9" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_RequiredDebtToTotalCapitalizationRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ac0-97d4-0de4e84bc2a9" xlink:to="loc_xel_RequiredDebtToTotalCapitalizationRatio_01a068fc-028e-7acb-b547-d37dd2723eb9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a068fc-028e-7dcc-9767-3abed571d950" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ac0-97d4-0de4e84bc2a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a068fc-028e-7dcc-9767-3abed571d950" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A2025ATMProgramTotalAvailableProceeds_01a068fc-028e-72f4-bbc9-64574303c1dd" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A2025ATMProgramTotalAvailableProceeds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ac0-97d4-0de4e84bc2a9" xlink:to="loc_xel_A2025ATMProgramTotalAvailableProceeds_01a068fc-028e-72f4-bbc9-64574303c1dd" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A2026ATMProgramTotalAvailableProceeds_01a068fc-028e-7b1c-be3e-ab5fd4a24553" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A2026ATMProgramTotalAvailableProceeds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ac0-97d4-0de4e84bc2a9" xlink:to="loc_xel_A2026ATMProgramTotalAvailableProceeds_01a068fc-028e-7b1c-be3e-ab5fd4a24553" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_01a068fc-028e-77ab-9690-8946b36e34f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ac0-97d4-0de4e84bc2a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_01a068fc-028e-77ab-9690-8946b36e34f7" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsBilateralCreditAgreementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsBilateralCreditAgreementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsBilateralCreditAgreementDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ae5-8cc6-391026fd6639" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7bc1-bd2b-c63dfa548d8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ae5-8cc6-391026fd6639" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7bc1-bd2b-c63dfa548d8a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7a11-85d7-9b935bf0366b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7bc1-bd2b-c63dfa548d8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7a11-85d7-9b935bf0366b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a11-85d7-9b935bf0366b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7a11-85d7-9b935bf0366b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a11-85d7-9b935bf0366b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-75ca-b465-1d9c461aa866" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-7a11-85d7-9b935bf0366b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-75ca-b465-1d9c461aa866" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_BilateralCreditAgreementMember_01a068fc-028e-7e1e-9968-93d039059b39" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_BilateralCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-75ca-b465-1d9c461aa866" xlink:to="loc_xel_BilateralCreditAgreementMember_01a068fc-028e-7e1e-9968-93d039059b39" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-762a-802c-2c71b238eb21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7bc1-bd2b-c63dfa548d8a" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-762a-802c-2c71b238eb21" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-762a-802c-2c71b238eb21_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-762a-802c-2c71b238eb21" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-762a-802c-2c71b238eb21_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-718a-808c-a0086ca0a2a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-762a-802c-2c71b238eb21" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-718a-808c-a0086ca0a2a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NspMinnesotaMember_01a068fc-028e-70c5-96ce-3562e3926aa2" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NspMinnesotaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-718a-808c-a0086ca0a2a5" xlink:to="loc_xel_NspMinnesotaMember_01a068fc-028e-70c5-96ce-3562e3926aa2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-704a-8072-293365613557" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShortTermDebtTable_01a068fc-028e-7bc1-bd2b-c63dfa548d8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-704a-8072-293365613557" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-704a-8072-293365613557_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-704a-8072-293365613557" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-704a-8072-293365613557_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7bfd-bf03-9dfd2009038a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-704a-8072-293365613557" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7bfd-bf03-9dfd2009038a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_01a068fc-028e-7daf-9c42-ea11674d7b19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7bfd-bf03-9dfd2009038a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_01a068fc-028e-7daf-9c42-ea11674d7b19" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_01a068fc-028e-76fc-9cae-34547dde21e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ae5-8cc6-391026fd6639" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_01a068fc-028e-76fc-9cae-34547dde21e3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings_01a068fc-028e-7d98-ac3d-a5be1b6ae071" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ae5-8cc6-391026fd6639" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings_01a068fc-028e-7d98-ac3d-a5be1b6ae071" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7610-81a9-b24ae907f9c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ae5-8cc6-391026fd6639" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7610-81a9-b24ae907f9c9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7dd6-8754-2f1ed4435e2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7ae5-8cc6-391026fd6639" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7dd6-8754-2f1ed4435e2e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsLongTermBorrowingsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsLongTermBorrowingsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsLongTermBorrowingsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7733-b593-09af47f3dbb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a068fc-028e-725c-99be-cf60c5d1b277" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7733-b593-09af47f3dbb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a068fc-028e-725c-99be-cf60c5d1b277" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-771d-be44-60d09b042dd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a068fc-028e-725c-99be-cf60c5d1b277" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-771d-be44-60d09b042dd1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-771d-be44-60d09b042dd1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-771d-be44-60d09b042dd1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-771d-be44-60d09b042dd1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7710-99e7-82e3f5f35280" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-028e-771d-be44-60d09b042dd1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7710-99e7-82e3f5f35280" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SeriesDueMarch132029Member_01a068fc-028e-7283-b016-dbf4effa34ec" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SeriesDueMarch132029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7710-99e7-82e3f5f35280" xlink:to="loc_xel_SeriesDueMarch132029Member_01a068fc-028e-7283-b016-dbf4effa34ec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SeriesDueJune152036Member_01a068fc-028e-7158-a3bf-ef179dc07dac" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SeriesDueJune152036Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7710-99e7-82e3f5f35280" xlink:to="loc_xel_SeriesDueJune152036Member_01a068fc-028e-7158-a3bf-ef179dc07dac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SeriesDueJune152041Member_01a068fc-028e-7e97-8570-916717d5c101" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SeriesDueJune152041Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7710-99e7-82e3f5f35280" xlink:to="loc_xel_SeriesDueJune152041Member_01a068fc-028e-7e97-8570-916717d5c101" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SeriesDueMay152036Member_01a068fc-028e-7bd4-a6f9-ff6bc5e2510b" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SeriesDueMay152036Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7710-99e7-82e3f5f35280" xlink:to="loc_xel_SeriesDueMay152036Member_01a068fc-028e-7bd4-a6f9-ff6bc5e2510b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SeriesDueMay152056Member_01a068fc-028e-7fd9-a2af-6806e398313d" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SeriesDueMay152056Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7710-99e7-82e3f5f35280" xlink:to="loc_xel_SeriesDueMay152056Member_01a068fc-028e-7fd9-a2af-6806e398313d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A364DayTermLoanMember_01a068fc-028e-7fe2-a156-dc95bf52360c" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A364DayTermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7710-99e7-82e3f5f35280" xlink:to="loc_xel_A364DayTermLoanMember_01a068fc-028e-7fe2-a156-dc95bf52360c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SeriesDue2056Member_01a068fc-028e-7122-8e51-a812cb725ad1" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SeriesDue2056Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7710-99e7-82e3f5f35280" xlink:to="loc_xel_SeriesDue2056Member_01a068fc-028e-7122-8e51-a812cb725ad1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SeriesDueAugust152036Member_01a068fc-028e-70d3-a5c6-8b07b7d8c323" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SeriesDueAugust152036Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7710-99e7-82e3f5f35280" xlink:to="loc_xel_SeriesDueAugust152036Member_01a068fc-028e-70d3-a5c6-8b07b7d8c323" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SeriesDueAugust152056Member_01a068fc-028e-721c-bd07-192935401d6c" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SeriesDueAugust152056Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7710-99e7-82e3f5f35280" xlink:to="loc_xel_SeriesDueAugust152056Member_01a068fc-028e-721c-bd07-192935401d6c" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SeriesDueMay152034Member_01a17566-c325-7b10-a1db-53ade538a1b0" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SeriesDueMay152034Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a068fc-028e-7710-99e7-82e3f5f35280" xlink:to="loc_xel_SeriesDueMay152034Member_01a17566-c325-7b10-a1db-53ade538a1b0" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-79a2-b344-8ec7edd5fd9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a068fc-028e-725c-99be-cf60c5d1b277" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-79a2-b344-8ec7edd5fd9e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-79a2-b344-8ec7edd5fd9e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-79a2-b344-8ec7edd5fd9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-79a2-b344-8ec7edd5fd9e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7afd-b630-dd945fa17df5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-79a2-b344-8ec7edd5fd9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7afd-b630-dd945fa17df5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BondsMember_01a068fc-028e-7a1e-ae88-7c20680f46f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7afd-b630-dd945fa17df5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BondsMember_01a068fc-028e-7a1e-ae88-7c20680f46f9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-764e-8e1d-905e64076995" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a068fc-028e-725c-99be-cf60c5d1b277" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-764e-8e1d-905e64076995" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-764e-8e1d-905e64076995_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-764e-8e1d-905e64076995" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-764e-8e1d-905e64076995_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-71be-83a7-080880b08c79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a068fc-028e-764e-8e1d-905e64076995" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-71be-83a7-080880b08c79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PscoMember_01a068fc-028e-7a7d-ba7a-57a22cad93d2" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PscoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-71be-83a7-080880b08c79" xlink:to="loc_xel_PscoMember_01a068fc-028e-7a7d-ba7a-57a22cad93d2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NspMinnesotaMember_01a068fc-028e-765a-a5c1-061d8adbe084" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NspMinnesotaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-71be-83a7-080880b08c79" xlink:to="loc_xel_NspMinnesotaMember_01a068fc-028e-765a-a5c1-061d8adbe084" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SpsMember_01a068fc-028e-784b-b5db-06fdbdde7682" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SpsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-71be-83a7-080880b08c79" xlink:to="loc_xel_SpsMember_01a068fc-028e-784b-b5db-06fdbdde7682" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NSPWisconsinMember_01a068fc-028e-7618-9fcf-78151c912f97" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NSPWisconsinMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-71be-83a7-080880b08c79" xlink:to="loc_xel_NSPWisconsinMember_01a068fc-028e-7618-9fcf-78151c912f97" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_XCELENERGYINCMember_01a068fc-028e-75c3-9832-0b0c95f5a103" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_XCELENERGYINCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a068fc-028e-71be-83a7-080880b08c79" xlink:to="loc_xel_XCELENERGYINCMember_01a068fc-028e-75c3-9832-0b0c95f5a103" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-028e-72be-8568-c741182bd96e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a068fc-028e-725c-99be-cf60c5d1b277" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-028e-72be-8568-c741182bd96e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-72be-8568-c741182bd96e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-028e-72be-8568-c741182bd96e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-72be-8568-c741182bd96e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-776b-aa95-adf000bc4dbc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-028e-72be-8568-c741182bd96e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-776b-aa95-adf000bc4dbc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_01a068fc-028e-7ce6-a950-493463c341c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ParentCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-028e-776b-aa95-adf000bc4dbc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_01a068fc-028e-7ce6-a950-493463c341c4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-7660-a327-afed3b423da7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a068fc-028e-725c-99be-cf60c5d1b277" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-7660-a327-afed3b423da7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7660-a327-afed3b423da7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-7660-a327-afed3b423da7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7660-a327-afed3b423da7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7eb1-a52d-8651b930afb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_01a068fc-028e-7660-a327-afed3b423da7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7eb1-a52d-8651b930afb4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtMember_01a068fc-028e-74fe-b42c-d4cffccec478" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_01a068fc-028e-7eb1-a52d-8651b930afb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtMember_01a068fc-028e-74fe-b42c-d4cffccec478" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_01a068fc-028e-76ad-a7f8-e191181deb3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7733-b593-09af47f3dbb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_01a068fc-028e-76ad-a7f8-e191181deb3c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a068fc-028e-707b-a86c-7b52c5631f66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7733-b593-09af47f3dbb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a068fc-028e-707b-a86c-7b52c5631f66" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7c2e-9296-51dda022fd16" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-7733-b593-09af47f3dbb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a068fc-028e-7c2e-9296-51dda022fd16" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsEquitythroughDRIPandBenefitsProgramDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsEquitythroughDRIPandBenefitsProgramDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsEquitythroughDRIPandBenefitsProgramDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77cb-93f9-d4070db4e054" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityTable_01a068fc-028e-7436-9e58-5afb0452977c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77cb-93f9-d4070db4e054" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityTable_01a068fc-028e-7436-9e58-5afb0452977c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramAxis_01a068fc-028e-7d7b-9a8d-cdd591f4956b" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ShareIssuanceProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityTable_01a068fc-028e-7436-9e58-5afb0452977c" xlink:to="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramAxis_01a068fc-028e-7d7b-9a8d-cdd591f4956b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d7b-9a8d-cdd591f4956b_default" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramAxis_01a068fc-028e-7d7b-9a8d-cdd591f4956b" xlink:to="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7d7b-9a8d-cdd591f4956b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7471-a65a-b7adf0ca50f3" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramAxis_01a068fc-028e-7d7b-9a8d-cdd591f4956b" xlink:to="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7471-a65a-b7adf0ca50f3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_DividendReinvestmentProgramMember_01a068fc-028e-7775-ab1b-e5496d75059e" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_DividendReinvestmentProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7471-a65a-b7adf0ca50f3" xlink:to="loc_xel_DividendReinvestmentProgramMember_01a068fc-028e-7775-ab1b-e5496d75059e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A2025ForwardEquityAgreementsMember_01a178cb-07e5-7be7-839e-3becf3c4b7fe" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A2025ForwardEquityAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7471-a65a-b7adf0ca50f3" xlink:to="loc_xel_A2025ForwardEquityAgreementsMember_01a178cb-07e5-7be7-839e-3becf3c4b7fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A2026ForwardEquityAgreementMember_01a178cb-07e5-768b-a071-be4095455363" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A2026ForwardEquityAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7471-a65a-b7adf0ca50f3" xlink:to="loc_xel_A2026ForwardEquityAgreementMember_01a178cb-07e5-768b-a071-be4095455363" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PeriodEndNetShareSettlementPrice_01a178cb-07e5-71a5-96d2-f165e23988af" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PeriodEndNetShareSettlementPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77cb-93f9-d4070db4e054" xlink:to="loc_xel_PeriodEndNetShareSettlementPrice_01a178cb-07e5-71a5-96d2-f165e23988af" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PeriodEndNetCashSettlementPrice_01a178cb-07e5-7d36-800a-8f6ab7a2c67a" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PeriodEndNetCashSettlementPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77cb-93f9-d4070db4e054" xlink:to="loc_xel_PeriodEndNetCashSettlementPrice_01a178cb-07e5-7d36-800a-8f6ab7a2c67a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PeriodEndSettlementPriceInCash_01a178cb-07e5-7b39-b208-b50279e46165" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PeriodEndSettlementPriceInCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77cb-93f9-d4070db4e054" xlink:to="loc_xel_PeriodEndSettlementPriceInCash_01a178cb-07e5-7b39-b208-b50279e46165" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_01a068fc-028e-7c75-9d52-752a6f4b5c94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a068fc-028e-77cb-93f9-d4070db4e054" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_01a068fc-028e-7c75-9d52-752a6f4b5c94" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_01a068fc-028e-72a0-b8ed-220b6dc4a164" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsForwardEquityAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsForwardEquityAgreementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsForwardEquityAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a178c5-9bdd-7a4a-b2a1-30b0841bb393" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityTable_01a068fc-028e-747a-87d0-a395912587c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a178c5-9bdd-7a4a-b2a1-30b0841bb393" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityTable_01a068fc-028e-747a-87d0-a395912587c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramAxis_01a068fc-028e-7fd9-82e4-932c8868c95c" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ShareIssuanceProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityTable_01a068fc-028e-747a-87d0-a395912587c0" xlink:to="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramAxis_01a068fc-028e-7fd9-82e4-932c8868c95c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7fd9-82e4-932c8868c95c_default" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramAxis_01a068fc-028e-7fd9-82e4-932c8868c95c" xlink:to="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7fd9-82e4-932c8868c95c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7eb5-8502-1e8569c2e888" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramAxis_01a068fc-028e-7fd9-82e4-932c8868c95c" xlink:to="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7eb5-8502-1e8569c2e888" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A2025ForwardEquityAgreementsMember_01a068fc-028e-7bc7-85ee-fa5501f91dfe" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A2025ForwardEquityAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7eb5-8502-1e8569c2e888" xlink:to="loc_xel_A2025ForwardEquityAgreementsMember_01a068fc-028e-7bc7-85ee-fa5501f91dfe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A2025CollaredForwardEquityAgreementsMember_01a068fc-028e-7d16-8457-3511c6aa2963" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A2025CollaredForwardEquityAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7eb5-8502-1e8569c2e888" xlink:to="loc_xel_A2025CollaredForwardEquityAgreementsMember_01a068fc-028e-7d16-8457-3511c6aa2963" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A2026ForwardEquityAgreementMember_01a068fc-028e-7476-b51f-8fc654a4b2e8" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A2026ForwardEquityAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7eb5-8502-1e8569c2e888" xlink:to="loc_xel_A2026ForwardEquityAgreementMember_01a068fc-028e-7476-b51f-8fc654a4b2e8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A2026CollaredForwardEquityAgreementsMember_01a068fc-028e-72f7-adf9-fc3232f5b6b3" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A2026CollaredForwardEquityAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7eb5-8502-1e8569c2e888" xlink:to="loc_xel_A2026CollaredForwardEquityAgreementsMember_01a068fc-028e-72f7-adf9-fc3232f5b6b3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A2026ForwardEquityAgreementsMember_01a1798a-71b7-77b9-81d6-18f70f9795ab" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A2026ForwardEquityAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ShareIssuanceProgramDomain_01a068fc-028e-7eb5-8502-1e8569c2e888" xlink:to="loc_xel_A2026ForwardEquityAgreementsMember_01a1798a-71b7-77b9-81d6-18f70f9795ab" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a178fa-31e5-7e6a-b350-b4b3cda294f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityTable_01a068fc-028e-747a-87d0-a395912587c0" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a178fa-31e5-7e6a-b350-b4b3cda294f9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a178fa-31e5-7e6a-b350-b4b3cda294f9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a178fa-31e5-7e6a-b350-b4b3cda294f9" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a178fa-31e5-7e6a-b350-b4b3cda294f9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a178fa-31e5-770a-be73-2d8ee67ca4ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a178fa-31e5-7e6a-b350-b4b3cda294f9" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a178fa-31e5-770a-be73-2d8ee67ca4ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a179c3-864b-70b3-b6c5-4e3654958e57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a178fa-31e5-770a-be73-2d8ee67ca4ee" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a179c3-864b-70b3-b6c5-4e3654958e57" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a179c3-a016-75f2-be84-c5d9266f0cfa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a178fa-31e5-770a-be73-2d8ee67ca4ee" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a179c3-a016-75f2-be84-c5d9266f0cfa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A2025ATMProgramTotalAvailableProceeds_01a178ce-f56b-77c6-8077-cc00148037b8" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A2025ATMProgramTotalAvailableProceeds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a178c5-9bdd-7a4a-b2a1-30b0841bb393" xlink:to="loc_xel_A2025ATMProgramTotalAvailableProceeds_01a178ce-f56b-77c6-8077-cc00148037b8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_A2026ATMProgramTotalAvailableProceeds_01a178ce-f56b-7a7e-836a-f4ae9d5697f8" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_A2026ATMProgramTotalAvailableProceeds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a178c5-9bdd-7a4a-b2a1-30b0841bb393" xlink:to="loc_xel_A2026ATMProgramTotalAvailableProceeds_01a178ce-f56b-7a7e-836a-f4ae9d5697f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CommonStockSharesIssuedThroughATMCashTransactions_01a178ce-f56b-76df-9b80-4f3593c308c0" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CommonStockSharesIssuedThroughATMCashTransactions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a178c5-9bdd-7a4a-b2a1-30b0841bb393" xlink:to="loc_xel_CommonStockSharesIssuedThroughATMCashTransactions_01a178ce-f56b-76df-9b80-4f3593c308c0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CashProceedsAtSettlementThroughATMCashTransactions_01a178ce-f56b-7ee9-a485-b05da814b236" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CashProceedsAtSettlementThroughATMCashTransactions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a178c5-9bdd-7a4a-b2a1-30b0841bb393" xlink:to="loc_xel_CashProceedsAtSettlementThroughATMCashTransactions_01a178ce-f56b-7ee9-a485-b05da814b236" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_TransactionFeesPaidThroughATMCashTransactions_01a178ce-f56b-7505-afdc-d4c722f5db4d" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_TransactionFeesPaidThroughATMCashTransactions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a178c5-9bdd-7a4a-b2a1-30b0841bb393" xlink:to="loc_xel_TransactionFeesPaidThroughATMCashTransactions_01a178ce-f56b-7505-afdc-d4c722f5db4d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CommonStockSharesIssuedThroughForwardEquityAgreement_01a178c5-9bdd-749a-acad-540f750928f7" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CommonStockSharesIssuedThroughForwardEquityAgreement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a178c5-9bdd-7a4a-b2a1-30b0841bb393" xlink:to="loc_xel_CommonStockSharesIssuedThroughForwardEquityAgreement_01a178c5-9bdd-749a-acad-540f750928f7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_TransactionFeesPaid_01a178c5-9bdd-7e8c-b562-5c9c128816cb" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_TransactionFeesPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a178c5-9bdd-7a4a-b2a1-30b0841bb393" xlink:to="loc_xel_TransactionFeesPaid_01a178c5-9bdd-7e8c-b562-5c9c128816cb" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CashProceedsAtSettlement_01a178c5-9bdd-794a-b32d-c25f49de7eda" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CashProceedsAtSettlement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a178c5-9bdd-7a4a-b2a1-30b0841bb393" xlink:to="loc_xel_CashProceedsAtSettlement_01a178c5-9bdd-794a-b32d-c25f49de7eda" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CommonStockSharestobeIssuedthroughforwardEquityAgreement_01a178c6-00df-7e36-8bcc-71db2b58f72d" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CommonStockSharestobeIssuedthroughforwardEquityAgreement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a178c5-9bdd-7a4a-b2a1-30b0841bb393" xlink:to="loc_xel_CommonStockSharestobeIssuedthroughforwardEquityAgreement_01a178c6-00df-7e36-8bcc-71db2b58f72d" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ExpectedSettlementPrice_01a178c6-00df-772b-9043-9c1ba3ff78d3" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ExpectedSettlementPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a178c5-9bdd-7a4a-b2a1-30b0841bb393" xlink:to="loc_xel_ExpectedSettlementPrice_01a178c6-00df-772b-9043-9c1ba3ff78d3" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ForwardSalePricePerShare_01a178dd-1ddc-7d0c-aedc-6018806090eb" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ForwardSalePricePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityLineItems_01a178c5-9bdd-7a4a-b2a1-30b0841bb393" xlink:to="loc_xel_ForwardSalePricePerShare_01a178dd-1ddc-7d0c-aedc-6018806090eb" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsPurchaseofofSubsidiaryFirstMortgageBondsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsPurchaseofofSubsidiaryFirstMortgageBondsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BorrowingsandOtherFinancingInstrumentsPurchaseofofSubsidiaryFirstMortgageBondsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a178d8-80ad-7de3-8156-02a6f7dee124" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a178d8-80ad-76b9-88e5-1497b486ca46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a178d8-80ad-7de3-8156-02a6f7dee124" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a178d8-80ad-76b9-88e5-1497b486ca46" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_01a178d8-80ad-7be3-b56a-4f50d587b3d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a178d8-80ad-76b9-88e5-1497b486ca46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_01a178d8-80ad-7be3-b56a-4f50d587b3d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a178d8-80ad-7be3-b56a-4f50d587b3d7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_01a178d8-80ad-7be3-b56a-4f50d587b3d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a178d8-80ad-7be3-b56a-4f50d587b3d7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a178d8-80ad-7cd9-920b-b641b8739819" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_01a178d8-80ad-7be3-b56a-4f50d587b3d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a178d8-80ad-7cd9-920b-b641b8739819" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NspMinnesotaMember_01a178d8-80ad-7a30-a86f-f8b70445edc2" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NspMinnesotaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a178d8-80ad-7cd9-920b-b641b8739819" xlink:to="loc_xel_NspMinnesotaMember_01a178d8-80ad-7a30-a86f-f8b70445edc2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_SpsMember_01a178d8-80ad-7467-a4f4-48f3d165c4aa" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_SpsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a178d8-80ad-7cd9-920b-b641b8739819" xlink:to="loc_xel_SpsMember_01a178d8-80ad-7467-a4f4-48f3d165c4aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_XCELENERGYINCMember_01a178eb-fa52-7f17-a002-86161bdb90e7" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_XCELENERGYINCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a178d8-80ad-7cd9-920b-b641b8739819" xlink:to="loc_xel_XCELENERGYINCMember_01a178eb-fa52-7f17-a002-86161bdb90e7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount_01a178d8-80ad-717a-bcda-1c743adf024d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a178d8-80ad-7de3-8156-02a6f7dee124" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount_01a178d8-80ad-717a-bcda-1c743adf024d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchaseAmount_01a178d8-80ad-7a28-bba1-996c9905a4ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchaseAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a178d8-80ad-7de3-8156-02a6f7dee124" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchaseAmount_01a178d8-80ad-7a28-bba1-996c9905a4ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnRepurchaseOfDebtInstrument_01a178eb-fa52-736f-a43a-e519cd65c367" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnRepurchaseOfDebtInstrument"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a178d8-80ad-7de3-8156-02a6f7dee124" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnRepurchaseOfDebtInstrument_01a178eb-fa52-736f-a43a-e519cd65c367" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/RevenuesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#RevenuesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/RevenuesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a068fc-028f-794d-877a-4f9e16167afe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a068fc-028e-7e82-ae60-153d720c93b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a068fc-028f-794d-877a-4f9e16167afe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a068fc-028e-7e82-ae60-153d720c93b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a068fc-028e-79d8-b0f2-d2f468065a1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a068fc-028e-7e82-ae60-153d720c93b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a068fc-028e-79d8-b0f2-d2f468065a1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-028e-79d8-b0f2-d2f468065a1f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a068fc-028e-79d8-b0f2-d2f468065a1f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-028e-79d8-b0f2-d2f468065a1f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-028e-7111-b2a8-c21a988f2796" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a068fc-028e-79d8-b0f2-d2f468065a1f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-028e-7111-b2a8-c21a988f2796" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_RegulatedElectricMember_01a068fc-028e-76a7-a0f3-2adb9503a6dd" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_RegulatedElectricMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-028e-7111-b2a8-c21a988f2796" xlink:to="loc_xel_RegulatedElectricMember_01a068fc-028e-76a7-a0f3-2adb9503a6dd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_RegulatedNaturalGasMember_01a068fc-028e-7cf7-8d4e-03408ed9dd7a" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_RegulatedNaturalGasMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-028e-7111-b2a8-c21a988f2796" xlink:to="loc_xel_RegulatedNaturalGasMember_01a068fc-028e-7cf7-8d4e-03408ed9dd7a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember_01a068fc-028e-7845-a144-5da70411fee3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-028e-7111-b2a8-c21a988f2796" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember_01a068fc-028e-7845-a144-5da70411fee3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a068fc-028e-7083-91f1-6d8caabb133e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a068fc-028e-7e82-ae60-153d720c93b1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a068fc-028e-7083-91f1-6d8caabb133e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a068fc-028e-7083-91f1-6d8caabb133e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a068fc-028e-7083-91f1-6d8caabb133e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a068fc-028e-7083-91f1-6d8caabb133e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a068fc-028e-73b6-b1df-8585d821694b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a068fc-028e-7083-91f1-6d8caabb133e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a068fc-028e-73b6-b1df-8585d821694b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_01a068fc-028e-7ab4-9453-67dfb6b564bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a068fc-028e-73b6-b1df-8585d821694b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_01a068fc-028e-7ab4-9453-67dfb6b564bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_01a068fc-028e-74e9-a12c-e3108ee01644" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a068fc-028e-7e82-ae60-153d720c93b1" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_01a068fc-028e-74e9-a12c-e3108ee01644" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_01a068fc-028e-74e9-a12c-e3108ee01644_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_01a068fc-028e-74e9-a12c-e3108ee01644" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_01a068fc-028e-74e9-a12c-e3108ee01644_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_01a068fc-028e-74ca-a82d-5fca8a8e154e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_01a068fc-028e-74e9-a12c-e3108ee01644" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_01a068fc-028e-74ca-a82d-5fca8a8e154e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ResidentialCustomersMember_01a068fc-028e-701b-870c-9eaa6675ac13" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ResidentialCustomersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_01a068fc-028e-74ca-a82d-5fca8a8e154e" xlink:to="loc_xel_ResidentialCustomersMember_01a068fc-028e-701b-870c-9eaa6675ac13" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CommercialandIndustrialCustomersMember_01a068fc-028e-7af5-a0ac-6b4528abbcb8" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CommercialandIndustrialCustomersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_01a068fc-028e-74ca-a82d-5fca8a8e154e" xlink:to="loc_xel_CommercialandIndustrialCustomersMember_01a068fc-028e-7af5-a0ac-6b4528abbcb8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_OtherCustomersMember_01a068fc-028e-7130-b34d-160bab58f905" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_OtherCustomersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_01a068fc-028e-74ca-a82d-5fca8a8e154e" xlink:to="loc_xel_OtherCustomersMember_01a068fc-028e-7130-b34d-160bab58f905" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a068fc-028e-7c0d-8b0b-886c93d46a3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a068fc-028e-7e82-ae60-153d720c93b1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a068fc-028e-7c0d-8b0b-886c93d46a3b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a068fc-028e-7c0d-8b0b-886c93d46a3b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a068fc-028e-7c0d-8b0b-886c93d46a3b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a068fc-028e-7c0d-8b0b-886c93d46a3b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a66-902d-732de47b3065" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a068fc-028e-7c0d-8b0b-886c93d46a3b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a66-902d-732de47b3065" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_RetailDistributionMember_01a068fc-028e-7183-8137-30aad10adb40" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_RetailDistributionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a66-902d-732de47b3065" xlink:to="loc_xel_RetailDistributionMember_01a068fc-028e-7183-8137-30aad10adb40" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_WholesaleDistributionMember_01a068fc-028e-782a-a66f-8176653694f5" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_WholesaleDistributionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a66-902d-732de47b3065" xlink:to="loc_xel_WholesaleDistributionMember_01a068fc-028e-782a-a66f-8176653694f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_TransmissionServicesMember_01a068fc-028e-7163-8f97-d04642cce70a" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_TransmissionServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a66-902d-732de47b3065" xlink:to="loc_xel_TransmissionServicesMember_01a068fc-028e-7163-8f97-d04642cce70a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_OtherServicesMember_01a068fc-028f-74db-8b49-7981b5e22b1f" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_OtherServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a66-902d-732de47b3065" xlink:to="loc_xel_OtherServicesMember_01a068fc-028f-74db-8b49-7981b5e22b1f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_01a068fc-028f-7ac9-b5a8-cf41341e500e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProductMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a66-902d-732de47b3065" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_01a068fc-028f-7ac9-b5a8-cf41341e500e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_AlternativeandOtherMember_01a068fc-028f-7cd1-be3e-89cbb42e8b88" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_AlternativeandOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a068fc-028e-7a66-902d-732de47b3065" xlink:to="loc_xel_AlternativeandOtherMember_01a068fc-028f-7cd1-be3e-89cbb42e8b88" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_01a068fc-028f-7964-948e-0070e8bed09b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a068fc-028f-794d-877a-4f9e16167afe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_01a068fc-028f-7964-948e-0070e8bed09b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueNotFromContractWithCustomer_01a068fc-028f-7621-a781-35c345a94367" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueNotFromContractWithCustomer"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a068fc-028f-794d-877a-4f9e16167afe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueNotFromContractWithCustomer_01a068fc-028f-7621-a781-35c345a94367" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_01a068fc-028f-716b-a013-d7fbd946dccb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a068fc-028f-794d-877a-4f9e16167afe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_01a068fc-028f-716b-a013-d7fbd946dccb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/NonDerivativeFairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#NonDerivativeFairValueMeasurementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/NonDerivativeFairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a068fc-0337-78e2-9331-c70b254d7dbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a068fc-0337-752e-ae74-c64be320f462" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a068fc-0337-78e2-9331-c70b254d7dbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a068fc-0337-752e-ae74-c64be320f462" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-70e3-acd3-d341e492431d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a068fc-0337-752e-ae74-c64be320f462" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-70e3-acd3-d341e492431d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-70e3-acd3-d341e492431d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-70e3-acd3-d341e492431d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-70e3-acd3-d341e492431d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7cb6-b3b9-5cecc3c3101c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-70e3-acd3-d341e492431d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7cb6-b3b9-5cecc3c3101c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-70bb-8c8f-2e5fbbe0c93c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7cb6-b3b9-5cecc3c3101c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-70bb-8c8f-2e5fbbe0c93c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d73-8c9d-c731206b8709" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a068fc-0337-752e-ae74-c64be320f462" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d73-8c9d-c731206b8709" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-7d73-8c9d-c731206b8709_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d73-8c9d-c731206b8709" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-7d73-8c9d-c731206b8709_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a068fc-0337-70af-86ae-e756e31b12ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d73-8c9d-c731206b8709" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a068fc-0337-70af-86ae-e756e31b12ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-7fb2-beea-3230938584c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a068fc-0337-70af-86ae-e756e31b12ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-7fb2-beea-3230938584c2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-7fe7-affd-23257fa09d12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a068fc-0337-70af-86ae-e756e31b12ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-7fe7-affd-23257fa09d12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-7ab0-9c59-799bea3ee3e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a068fc-0337-70af-86ae-e756e31b12ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-7ab0-9c59-799bea3ee3e3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7bec-8a70-ba6f54f63c9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a068fc-0337-752e-ae74-c64be320f462" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7bec-8a70-ba6f54f63c9c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7bec-8a70-ba6f54f63c9c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7bec-8a70-ba6f54f63c9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7bec-8a70-ba6f54f63c9c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d14-891b-f3799dc041cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7bec-8a70-ba6f54f63c9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d14-891b-f3799dc041cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a068fc-0337-7d7e-81b2-302673ab9aa2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d14-891b-f3799dc041cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a068fc-0337-7d7e-81b2-302673ab9aa2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a068fc-0337-78ea-ab59-f0e3172ae16c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d14-891b-f3799dc041cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a068fc-0337-78ea-ab59-f0e3172ae16c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a068fc-0337-79ed-b150-ac74f4503ded" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d14-891b-f3799dc041cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a068fc-0337-79ed-b150-ac74f4503ded" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-0337-7246-b978-5564dfb7577a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a068fc-0337-752e-ae74-c64be320f462" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-0337-7246-b978-5564dfb7577a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7246-b978-5564dfb7577a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-0337-7246-b978-5564dfb7577a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7246-b978-5564dfb7577a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d4b-a294-2adf199d13a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a068fc-0337-7246-b978-5564dfb7577a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d4b-a294-2adf199d13a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember_01a068fc-0337-7a5b-9a32-be6340967c0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d4b-a294-2adf199d13a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember_01a068fc-0337-7a5b-9a32-be6340967c0c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CommingledFundsMember_01a068fc-0337-72d2-847c-3ca74a37243e" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CommingledFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d4b-a294-2adf199d13a1" xlink:to="loc_xel_CommingledFundsMember_01a068fc-0337-72d2-847c-3ca74a37243e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_01a068fc-0337-74b1-b341-a289b1d708e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d4b-a294-2adf199d13a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_01a068fc-0337-74b1-b341-a289b1d708e0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_01a068fc-0337-7bcb-a591-54b986261179" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d4b-a294-2adf199d13a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_01a068fc-0337-7bcb-a591-54b986261179" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-76a7-a301-6c385a9aee40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a068fc-0337-752e-ae74-c64be320f462" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-76a7-a301-6c385a9aee40" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-76a7-a301-6c385a9aee40_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-76a7-a301-6c385a9aee40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-76a7-a301-6c385a9aee40_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7cb2-9f0c-d2fc7d57d66e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-76a7-a301-6c385a9aee40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7cb2-9f0c-d2fc7d57d66e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-75ad-8dc7-d3e6f0bf3df8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7cb2-9f0c-d2fc7d57d66e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-75ad-8dc7-d3e6f0bf3df8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7181-bbc8-91dc69205d0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a068fc-0337-78e2-9331-c70b254d7dbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7181-bbc8-91dc69205d0b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_01a068fc-0337-7e60-bede-91f4a754c67f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7181-bbc8-91dc69205d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_01a068fc-0337-7e60-bede-91f4a754c67f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleExcludingAccruedInterest_01a068fc-0337-725d-9332-e4e6b4a74c69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleExcludingAccruedInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7181-bbc8-91dc69205d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleExcludingAccruedInterest_01a068fc-0337-725d-9332-e4e6b4a74c69" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi_01a068fc-0337-7e98-9cb0-a4371a1f063c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7181-bbc8-91dc69205d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi_01a068fc-0337-7e98-9cb0-a4371a1f063c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AlternativeInvestment_01a068fc-0337-712b-b60f-19e82eea6ee0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AlternativeInvestment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7181-bbc8-91dc69205d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AlternativeInvestment_01a068fc-0337-712b-b60f-19e82eea6ee0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_01a068fc-0337-76e4-8004-5e0de48be523" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7181-bbc8-91dc69205d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_01a068fc-0337-76e4-8004-5e0de48be523" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DecommissioningTrustAssetsAmount_01a068fc-0337-730d-9bdf-4007a5bd7822" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DecommissioningTrustAssetsAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7181-bbc8-91dc69205d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DecommissioningTrustAssetsAmount_01a068fc-0337-730d-9bdf-4007a5bd7822" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_01a068fc-0337-706c-b5a5-0c94b725fa17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a068fc-0337-78e2-9331-c70b254d7dbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_01a068fc-0337-706c-b5a5-0c94b725fa17" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestments_01a068fc-0337-732f-8dd6-5d5d13bd630a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a068fc-0337-78e2-9331-c70b254d7dbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestments_01a068fc-0337-732f-8dd6-5d5d13bd630a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain_01a068fc-0337-70d4-879f-3d3106c1389d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a068fc-0337-78e2-9331-c70b254d7dbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain_01a068fc-0337-70d4-879f-3d3106c1389d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLoss_01a068fc-0337-7aaa-85c5-2f276888e403" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a068fc-0337-78e2-9331-c70b254d7dbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLoss_01a068fc-0337-7aaa-85c5-2f276888e403" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/RabbiTrustDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#RabbiTrustDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/RabbiTrustDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a068fc-0337-792f-87ea-6ca2f244a142" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a068fc-0337-7837-b4a2-bb6967862cd5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a068fc-0337-792f-87ea-6ca2f244a142" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a068fc-0337-7837-b4a2-bb6967862cd5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a068fc-0337-76e0-82c1-932483118434" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a068fc-0337-7837-b4a2-bb6967862cd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a068fc-0337-76e0-82c1-932483118434" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-76e0-82c1-932483118434_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a068fc-0337-76e0-82c1-932483118434" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-76e0-82c1-932483118434_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7da4-87a5-71869852f5cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a068fc-0337-76e0-82c1-932483118434" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7da4-87a5-71869852f5cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-7eda-b3ab-b3b904d5a02b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7da4-87a5-71869852f5cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-7eda-b3ab-b3b904d5a02b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-7b73-adc3-0ee2cc4dc7d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-7eda-b3ab-b3b904d5a02b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a068fc-0337-7b73-adc3-0ee2cc4dc7d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-7969-ab3b-38a196f918be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a068fc-0337-7837-b4a2-bb6967862cd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-7969-ab3b-38a196f918be" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7969-ab3b-38a196f918be_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-7969-ab3b-38a196f918be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7969-ab3b-38a196f918be_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b8f-9820-68086e3fea20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-7969-ab3b-38a196f918be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b8f-9820-68086e3fea20" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7589-864f-78851c632d31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b8f-9820-68086e3fea20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7589-864f-78851c632d31" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_01a068fc-0337-7a57-8035-861d63c921fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a068fc-0337-792f-87ea-6ca2f244a142" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_01a068fc-0337-7a57-8035-861d63c921fb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/InterestRateDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#InterestRateDerivativesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/InterestRateDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7b58-9781-8d20b96eb49b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7b58-9781-8d20b96eb49b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b58-9781-8d20b96eb49b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7b58-9781-8d20b96eb49b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b58-9781-8d20b96eb49b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7b58-9781-8d20b96eb49b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-7ba8-a263-e788430c45eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-7ba8-a263-e788430c45eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-73a3-8b08-31339f58ea34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-73a3-8b08-31339f58ea34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-77c7-93c4-ceb9289e517a" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:to="loc_xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-77c7-93c4-ceb9289e517a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-7137-8e89-7212276ce67c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_01a068fc-0337-7a63-aa8d-a5909fccd0bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_01a068fc-0337-7a63-aa8d-a5909fccd0bb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember_01a068fc-0337-7d50-a3cf-eebca1ca4788" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:to="loc_xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember_01a068fc-0337-7d50-a3cf-eebca1ca4788" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-79b2-b83d-f7ae942236f4" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:to="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-79b2-b83d-f7ae942236f4" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7dac-8c41-e0e5feaba161" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7dac-8c41-e0e5feaba161" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7dac-8c41-e0e5feaba161_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7dac-8c41-e0e5feaba161" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7dac-8c41-e0e5feaba161_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-75a1-912d-1348c929b769" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7dac-8c41-e0e5feaba161" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-75a1-912d-1348c929b769" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a068fc-0337-70ad-939f-c2960eb032ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-75a1-912d-1348c929b769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a068fc-0337-70ad-939f-c2960eb032ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a068fc-0337-78a1-b034-d2506a4a2658" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-75a1-912d-1348c929b769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a068fc-0337-78a1-b034-d2506a4a2658" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a068fc-0337-72a0-bf88-e9a52d32d531" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-75a1-912d-1348c929b769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a068fc-0337-72a0-bf88-e9a52d32d531" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-734b-998c-50d12cbc96a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-734b-998c-50d12cbc96a4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-734b-998c-50d12cbc96a4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-734b-998c-50d12cbc96a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-734b-998c-50d12cbc96a4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a4f-be39-309c1bfeb801" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-734b-998c-50d12cbc96a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a4f-be39-309c1bfeb801" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7602-ad58-ed59ae97891a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a4f-be39-309c1bfeb801" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7602-ad58-ed59ae97891a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7fce-abe3-c8ed23e4593d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a4f-be39-309c1bfeb801" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7fce-abe3-c8ed23e4593d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-78d6-8110-83287caabc8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-78d6-8110-83287caabc8c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-78d6-8110-83287caabc8c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-78d6-8110-83287caabc8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-78d6-8110-83287caabc8c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b84-8ea7-57b726722c1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-78d6-8110-83287caabc8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b84-8ea7-57b726722c1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a068fc-0337-7102-9a9b-72e38e2165bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b84-8ea7-57b726722c1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a068fc-0337-7102-9a9b-72e38e2165bb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a068fc-0337-78af-976a-3e9d36c2726f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b84-8ea7-57b726722c1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a068fc-0337-78af-976a-3e9d36c2726f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d85-9d58-afd6e5908b81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d85-9d58-afd6e5908b81" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-7294-b2a0-71b300ec02d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-7294-b2a0-71b300ec02d0" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-7294-b2a0-71b300ec02d0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-7294-b2a0-71b300ec02d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-7294-b2a0-71b300ec02d0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-712a-b791-c94c0a5bd98e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-7294-b2a0-71b300ec02d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-712a-b791-c94c0a5bd98e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a068fc-0337-7f88-88c4-85e37c0b2f68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-712a-b791-c94c0a5bd98e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a068fc-0337-7f88-88c4-85e37c0b2f68" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_01a068fc-0337-7f97-99d4-d7e910822c2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_01a068fc-0337-7f97-99d4-d7e910822c2b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityAndObligationToReturnCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-78a0-bb30-c19a74e87c99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityAndObligationToReturnCashOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityAndObligationToReturnCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-78a0-bb30-c19a74e87c99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount_01a068fc-0337-7207-bf65-45f4bd376f42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount_01a068fc-0337-7207-bf65-45f4bd376f42" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent_01a068fc-0337-70db-8660-c1ee92be6249" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent_01a068fc-0337-70db-8660-c1ee92be6249" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsNoncurrent_01a068fc-0337-7918-af61-7adb412b0da7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsNoncurrent_01a068fc-0337-7918-af61-7adb412b0da7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_01a068fc-0337-7ecb-bde6-8fc8cfa3f711" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_01a068fc-0337-7ecb-bde6-8fc8cfa3f711" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetAndRightToReclaimCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-71fc-b9ba-117cb6da3159" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetAndRightToReclaimCashOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetAndRightToReclaimCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-71fc-b9ba-117cb6da3159" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesNoncurrent_01a068fc-0337-78d1-9ea7-5a770ccf08e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesNoncurrent_01a068fc-0337-78d1-9ea7-5a770ccf08e7" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7a3e-a40b-d97b09e6cf6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7a3e-a40b-d97b09e6cf6b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_01a068fc-0337-7820-93ec-ffa404576583" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_01a068fc-0337-7820-93ec-ffa404576583" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/InterestRateDerivativesDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#InterestRateDerivativesDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/InterestRateDerivativesDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7b58-9781-8d20b96eb49b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7b58-9781-8d20b96eb49b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b58-9781-8d20b96eb49b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7b58-9781-8d20b96eb49b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b58-9781-8d20b96eb49b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7b58-9781-8d20b96eb49b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-7ba8-a263-e788430c45eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-7ba8-a263-e788430c45eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-73a3-8b08-31339f58ea34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-73a3-8b08-31339f58ea34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-77c7-93c4-ceb9289e517a" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:to="loc_xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-77c7-93c4-ceb9289e517a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-7137-8e89-7212276ce67c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_01a068fc-0337-7a63-aa8d-a5909fccd0bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_01a068fc-0337-7a63-aa8d-a5909fccd0bb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember_01a068fc-0337-7d50-a3cf-eebca1ca4788" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:to="loc_xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember_01a068fc-0337-7d50-a3cf-eebca1ca4788" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-79b2-b83d-f7ae942236f4" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4a-9432-1123028762eb" xlink:to="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-79b2-b83d-f7ae942236f4" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7dac-8c41-e0e5feaba161" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7dac-8c41-e0e5feaba161" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7dac-8c41-e0e5feaba161_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7dac-8c41-e0e5feaba161" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7dac-8c41-e0e5feaba161_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-75a1-912d-1348c929b769" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7dac-8c41-e0e5feaba161" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-75a1-912d-1348c929b769" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a068fc-0337-70ad-939f-c2960eb032ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-75a1-912d-1348c929b769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a068fc-0337-70ad-939f-c2960eb032ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a068fc-0337-78a1-b034-d2506a4a2658" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-75a1-912d-1348c929b769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a068fc-0337-78a1-b034-d2506a4a2658" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a068fc-0337-72a0-bf88-e9a52d32d531" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-75a1-912d-1348c929b769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a068fc-0337-72a0-bf88-e9a52d32d531" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-734b-998c-50d12cbc96a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-734b-998c-50d12cbc96a4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-734b-998c-50d12cbc96a4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-734b-998c-50d12cbc96a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-734b-998c-50d12cbc96a4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a4f-be39-309c1bfeb801" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-734b-998c-50d12cbc96a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a4f-be39-309c1bfeb801" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7602-ad58-ed59ae97891a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a4f-be39-309c1bfeb801" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7602-ad58-ed59ae97891a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7fce-abe3-c8ed23e4593d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a4f-be39-309c1bfeb801" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7fce-abe3-c8ed23e4593d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-78d6-8110-83287caabc8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-78d6-8110-83287caabc8c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-78d6-8110-83287caabc8c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-78d6-8110-83287caabc8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-78d6-8110-83287caabc8c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b84-8ea7-57b726722c1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-78d6-8110-83287caabc8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b84-8ea7-57b726722c1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a068fc-0337-7102-9a9b-72e38e2165bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b84-8ea7-57b726722c1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a068fc-0337-7102-9a9b-72e38e2165bb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a068fc-0337-78af-976a-3e9d36c2726f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b84-8ea7-57b726722c1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a068fc-0337-78af-976a-3e9d36c2726f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-7294-b2a0-71b300ec02d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-732b-a491-13b12580c92b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-7294-b2a0-71b300ec02d0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-7294-b2a0-71b300ec02d0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-7294-b2a0-71b300ec02d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-7294-b2a0-71b300ec02d0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-712a-b791-c94c0a5bd98e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-7294-b2a0-71b300ec02d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-712a-b791-c94c0a5bd98e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a068fc-0337-7f88-88c4-85e37c0b2f68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-712a-b791-c94c0a5bd98e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a068fc-0337-7f88-88c4-85e37c0b2f68" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_01a068fc-0337-7f97-99d4-d7e910822c2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_01a068fc-0337-7f97-99d4-d7e910822c2b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityAndObligationToReturnCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-78a0-bb30-c19a74e87c99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityAndObligationToReturnCashOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityAndObligationToReturnCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-78a0-bb30-c19a74e87c99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount_01a068fc-0337-7207-bf65-45f4bd376f42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount_01a068fc-0337-7207-bf65-45f4bd376f42" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent_01a068fc-0337-70db-8660-c1ee92be6249" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent_01a068fc-0337-70db-8660-c1ee92be6249" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsNoncurrent_01a068fc-0337-7918-af61-7adb412b0da7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsNoncurrent_01a068fc-0337-7918-af61-7adb412b0da7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_01a068fc-0337-7ecb-bde6-8fc8cfa3f711" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_01a068fc-0337-7ecb-bde6-8fc8cfa3f711" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetAndRightToReclaimCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-71fc-b9ba-117cb6da3159" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetAndRightToReclaimCashOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetAndRightToReclaimCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-71fc-b9ba-117cb6da3159" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesNoncurrent_01a068fc-0337-78d1-9ea7-5a770ccf08e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesNoncurrent_01a068fc-0337-78d1-9ea7-5a770ccf08e7" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7a3e-a40b-d97b09e6cf6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7a3e-a40b-d97b09e6cf6b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_01a068fc-0337-7820-93ec-ffa404576583" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7a6e-975f-b2ddc4393661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_01a068fc-0337-7820-93ec-ffa404576583" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/CommodityDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#CommodityDerivativesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/CommodityDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7596-b9f8-6174b606436f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-73e3-9136-825f371dba35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7596-b9f8-6174b606436f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-73e3-9136-825f371dba35" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-78f8-8a1d-844dac19f188" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-73e3-9136-825f371dba35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-78f8-8a1d-844dac19f188" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-78f8-8a1d-844dac19f188_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-78f8-8a1d-844dac19f188" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-78f8-8a1d-844dac19f188_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-741e-8158-51c91a4ee810" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-78f8-8a1d-844dac19f188" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-741e-8158-51c91a4ee810" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CashflowhedgecommodityMember_01a068fc-0337-7161-ac4c-f5ec958c3354" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CashflowhedgecommodityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-741e-8158-51c91a4ee810" xlink:to="loc_xel_CashflowhedgecommodityMember_01a068fc-0337-7161-ac4c-f5ec958c3354" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ElectricCommodityMember_01a068fc-0337-7991-a054-520343f81ec6" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ElectricCommodityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-741e-8158-51c91a4ee810" xlink:to="loc_xel_ElectricCommodityMember_01a068fc-0337-7991-a054-520343f81ec6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a068fc-0337-77a7-af8e-2232b311a400" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-741e-8158-51c91a4ee810" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a068fc-0337-77a7-af8e-2232b311a400" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityMember_01a068fc-0337-77d7-9a84-540f87bfb97f" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NaturalGasCommodityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-741e-8158-51c91a4ee810" xlink:to="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityMember_01a068fc-0337-77d7-9a84-540f87bfb97f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-753c-a215-c9d9da2cb0df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-73e3-9136-825f371dba35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-753c-a215-c9d9da2cb0df" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-753c-a215-c9d9da2cb0df_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-753c-a215-c9d9da2cb0df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-753c-a215-c9d9da2cb0df_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-76bb-9528-3d5d1951b4ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-753c-a215-c9d9da2cb0df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-76bb-9528-3d5d1951b4ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a068fc-0337-7faf-a59e-5e4fa7273cde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-76bb-9528-3d5d1951b4ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a068fc-0337-7faf-a59e-5e4fa7273cde" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_Commoditycontractsdesignatedascashflowhedges_01a068fc-0337-7499-a25e-2df01894b6a0" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_Commoditycontractsdesignatedascashflowhedges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7596-b9f8-6174b606436f" xlink:to="loc_xel_Commoditycontractsdesignatedascashflowhedges_01a068fc-0337-7499-a25e-2df01894b6a0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_GrossNotionalAmountsOfCommodityForwardsOptionsAndFtrsAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7a2b-8ea8-8dd020e8de8f" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_GrossNotionalAmountsOfCommodityForwardsOptionsAndFtrsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7596-b9f8-6174b606436f" xlink:to="loc_xel_GrossNotionalAmountsOfCommodityForwardsOptionsAndFtrsAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7a2b-8ea8-8dd020e8de8f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount_01a068fc-0337-7549-b9ec-343fe535e476" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_GrossNotionalAmountsOfCommodityForwardsOptionsAndFtrsAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7a2b-8ea8-8dd020e8de8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount_01a068fc-0337-7549-b9ec-343fe535e476" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedToRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet_01a068fc-0337-7a2b-bcd1-dbb6d0a40e60" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedToRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7596-b9f8-6174b606436f" xlink:to="loc_xel_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedToRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet_01a068fc-0337-7a2b-bcd1-dbb6d0a40e60" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/ConsiderationofCreditRiskandConcentrationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#ConsiderationofCreditRiskandConcentrationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/ConsiderationofCreditRiskandConcentrationsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-712e-a4fc-2c3409f6fdc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-73ad-8393-41704b23ecbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-712e-a4fc-2c3409f6fdc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-73ad-8393-41704b23ecbe" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d01-ad8c-041c00765f7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-73ad-8393-41704b23ecbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d01-ad8c-041c00765f7c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d01-ad8c-041c00765f7c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d01-ad8c-041c00765f7c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d01-ad8c-041c00765f7c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-77f1-bd44-eeba9fdb525a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d01-ad8c-041c00765f7c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-77f1-bd44-eeba9fdb525a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditConcentrationRiskMember_01a068fc-0337-7406-bfed-bb6bbe6d573e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditConcentrationRiskMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-77f1-bd44-eeba9fdb525a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditConcentrationRiskMember_01a068fc-0337-7406-bfed-bb6bbe6d573e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CreditQualityIndicatorAxis_01a068fc-0337-7bac-a75d-c6f288f040fb" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CreditQualityIndicatorAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-73ad-8393-41704b23ecbe" xlink:to="loc_xel_CreditQualityIndicatorAxis_01a068fc-0337-7bac-a75d-c6f288f040fb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CreditQualityIndicatorDomain_01a068fc-0337-7bac-a75d-c6f288f040fb_default" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CreditQualityIndicatorDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_xel_CreditQualityIndicatorAxis_01a068fc-0337-7bac-a75d-c6f288f040fb" xlink:to="loc_xel_CreditQualityIndicatorDomain_01a068fc-0337-7bac-a75d-c6f288f040fb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CreditQualityIndicatorDomain_01a068fc-0337-7dec-a51f-d29251d09e21" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CreditQualityIndicatorDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_xel_CreditQualityIndicatorAxis_01a068fc-0337-7bac-a75d-c6f288f040fb" xlink:to="loc_xel_CreditQualityIndicatorDomain_01a068fc-0337-7dec-a51f-d29251d09e21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingInvestmentGradeMember_01a068fc-0337-7cda-8924-22b05d69e22e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingInvestmentGradeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_CreditQualityIndicatorDomain_01a068fc-0337-7dec-a51f-d29251d09e21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingInvestmentGradeMember_01a068fc-0337-7cda-8924-22b05d69e22e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalInvestmentGradeMember_01a068fc-0337-7f08-a030-c2c3d62b3a8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InternalInvestmentGradeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_CreditQualityIndicatorDomain_01a068fc-0337-7dec-a51f-d29251d09e21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalInvestmentGradeMember_01a068fc-0337-7f08-a030-c2c3d62b3a8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByIndustryOfCounterpartyTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7c3a-a661-3fedccee6056" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByIndustryOfCounterpartyTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-73ad-8393-41704b23ecbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByIndustryOfCounterpartyTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7c3a-a661-3fedccee6056" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndustryOfCounterpartyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c3a-a661-3fedccee6056_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndustryOfCounterpartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByIndustryOfCounterpartyTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7c3a-a661-3fedccee6056" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndustryOfCounterpartyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c3a-a661-3fedccee6056_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndustryOfCounterpartyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7965-a1fe-dbf85e5b1edb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndustryOfCounterpartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivablesByIndustryOfCounterpartyTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7c3a-a661-3fedccee6056" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndustryOfCounterpartyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7965-a1fe-dbf85e5b1edb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-7907-b6d4-6c259a9a6d28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-73ad-8393-41704b23ecbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-7907-b6d4-6c259a9a6d28" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7907-b6d4-6c259a9a6d28_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-7907-b6d4-6c259a9a6d28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7907-b6d4-6c259a9a6d28_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7dad-868f-18c6bf56d8ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-7907-b6d4-6c259a9a6d28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7dad-868f-18c6bf56d8ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a068fc-0337-740c-ad86-7c64cf32e47f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7dad-868f-18c6bf56d8ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a068fc-0337-740c-ad86-7c64cf32e47f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a068fc-0337-7559-8cf8-c344f1a94d61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7dad-868f-18c6bf56d8ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a068fc-0337-7559-8cf8-c344f1a94d61" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-77d0-8a93-ee6796e2f759" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-73ad-8393-41704b23ecbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-77d0-8a93-ee6796e2f759" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-77d0-8a93-ee6796e2f759_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-77d0-8a93-ee6796e2f759" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-77d0-8a93-ee6796e2f759_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-7bed-9044-f485c3646b50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-77d0-8a93-ee6796e2f759" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-7bed-9044-f485c3646b50" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a068fc-0337-7aab-bec8-460593a28308" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-7bed-9044-f485c3646b50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a068fc-0337-7aab-bec8-460593a28308" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-735a-a5b7-56dd757dd74b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a068fc-0337-73ad-8393-41704b23ecbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-735a-a5b7-56dd757dd74b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-735a-a5b7-56dd757dd74b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-735a-a5b7-56dd757dd74b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-735a-a5b7-56dd757dd74b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7758-bed1-b371f74d5781" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-735a-a5b7-56dd757dd74b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7758-bed1-b371f74d5781" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_01a068fc-0337-7428-818e-c48be2cddb3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7758-bed1-b371f74d5781" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_01a068fc-0337-7428-818e-c48be2cddb3a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-7fee-bbab-f39f980664fe" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7758-bed1-b371f74d5781" xlink:to="loc_xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-7fee-bbab-f39f980664fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityMember_01a068fc-0337-7d24-835b-18b4a65b17c3" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NaturalGasCommodityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7758-bed1-b371f74d5781" xlink:to="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityMember_01a068fc-0337-7d24-835b-18b4a65b17c3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CommodityTradingContractMember_01a068fc-0337-7b4d-aa5f-98dd601f6917" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CommodityTradingContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7758-bed1-b371f74d5781" xlink:to="loc_xel_CommodityTradingContractMember_01a068fc-0337-7b4d-aa5f-98dd601f6917" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-782e-9529-e2264b9cd249" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7758-bed1-b371f74d5781" xlink:to="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-782e-9529-e2264b9cd249" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_Numberofmostsignificantcounterpartiesforwholesaletradingandnontradingcommodityactivitieswithcreditexposure_01a068fc-0337-7b60-a26f-d80500d1d1da" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_Numberofmostsignificantcounterpartiesforwholesaletradingandnontradingcommodityactivitieswithcreditexposure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-712e-a4fc-2c3409f6fdc6" xlink:to="loc_xel_Numberofmostsignificantcounterpartiesforwholesaletradingandnontradingcommodityactivitieswithcreditexposure_01a068fc-0337-7b60-a26f-d80500d1d1da" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_WholesaleTradingAndNonTradingCommodityCreditExposureForMostSignificantCounterparties_01a068fc-0337-7239-ae76-ede5573df74a" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_WholesaleTradingAndNonTradingCommodityCreditExposureForMostSignificantCounterparties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-712e-a4fc-2c3409f6fdc6" xlink:to="loc_xel_WholesaleTradingAndNonTradingCommodityCreditExposureForMostSignificantCounterparties_01a068fc-0337-7239-ae76-ede5573df74a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PercentageOfWholesaleTradingAndNonTradingCommodityCreditExposureForMostSignificantCounterparties_01a068fc-0337-79b7-b1c6-7db5d0b4e859" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PercentageOfWholesaleTradingAndNonTradingCommodityCreditExposureForMostSignificantCounterparties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-712e-a4fc-2c3409f6fdc6" xlink:to="loc_xel_PercentageOfWholesaleTradingAndNonTradingCommodityCreditExposureForMostSignificantCounterparties_01a068fc-0337-79b7-b1c6-7db5d0b4e859" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ImpactOfDerivativeActivityOnAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesAndIncomeAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7469-bda8-5030a827da19" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ImpactOfDerivativeActivityOnAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesAndIncomeAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-712e-a4fc-2c3409f6fdc6" xlink:to="loc_xel_ImpactOfDerivativeActivityOnAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesAndIncomeAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7469-bda8-5030a827da19" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnPriceRiskCashFlowDerivativesBeforeTax_01a068fc-0337-7a10-9bbb-14ed38298a01" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnPriceRiskCashFlowDerivativesBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ImpactOfDerivativeActivityOnAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesAndIncomeAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7469-bda8-5030a827da19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnPriceRiskCashFlowDerivativesBeforeTax_01a068fc-0337-7a10-9bbb-14ed38298a01" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedToRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet_01a068fc-0337-7f34-a52c-e51f2377fdb1" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedToRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ImpactOfDerivativeActivityOnAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesAndIncomeAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7469-bda8-5030a827da19" xlink:to="loc_xel_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedToRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet_01a068fc-0337-7f34-a52c-e51f2377fdb1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_Pretaxgainslossesreclassifiedintoincomeduringtheperiodfromregulatoryassetsandliabilities_01a068fc-0337-7bfa-bc6e-1d46a51d9970" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_Pretaxgainslossesreclassifiedintoincomeduringtheperiodfromregulatoryassetsandliabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ImpactOfDerivativeActivityOnAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesAndIncomeAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7469-bda8-5030a827da19" xlink:to="loc_xel_Pretaxgainslossesreclassifiedintoincomeduringtheperiodfromregulatoryassetsandliabilities_01a068fc-0337-7bfa-bc6e-1d46a51d9970" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet_01a068fc-0337-7f60-9d52-78c3ec59809d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ImpactOfDerivativeActivityOnAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesAndIncomeAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7469-bda8-5030a827da19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet_01a068fc-0337-7f60-9d52-78c3ec59809d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueHedgesAtFairValueNet_01a068fc-0337-7fd2-a63e-2889b7e5fcc5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueHedgesAtFairValueNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a068fc-0337-712e-a4fc-2c3409f6fdc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueHedgesAtFairValueNet_01a068fc-0337-7fd2-a63e-2889b7e5fcc5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/RecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#RecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/RecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-7226-822e-b6f6c0da3a94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-7226-822e-b6f6c0da3a94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7226-822e-b6f6c0da3a94_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-7226-822e-b6f6c0da3a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7226-822e-b6f6c0da3a94_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c77-85cd-2665da4996ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-7226-822e-b6f6c0da3a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c77-85cd-2665da4996ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7d05-b0c7-45b47a1daa48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c77-85cd-2665da4996ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7d05-b0c7-45b47a1daa48" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7a38-abd2-66fda315ecad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c77-85cd-2665da4996ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7a38-abd2-66fda315ecad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-737d-916a-50564ae7c4b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-737d-916a-50564ae7c4b3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-737d-916a-50564ae7c4b3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-737d-916a-50564ae7c4b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-737d-916a-50564ae7c4b3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7750-881e-21140782645b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-737d-916a-50564ae7c4b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7750-881e-21140782645b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a068fc-0337-7456-aca7-d4daca99fe6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7750-881e-21140782645b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a068fc-0337-7456-aca7-d4daca99fe6d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a068fc-0337-7a01-9b84-0aba4314ebd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7750-881e-21140782645b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a068fc-0337-7a01-9b84-0aba4314ebd3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7159-9825-41e359f62ad0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7159-9825-41e359f62ad0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7159-9825-41e359f62ad0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7159-9825-41e359f62ad0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7159-9825-41e359f62ad0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b9b-bf5e-85316ef12fa5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7159-9825-41e359f62ad0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b9b-bf5e-85316ef12fa5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a068fc-0337-790d-9e6e-afadd12e37b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b9b-bf5e-85316ef12fa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a068fc-0337-790d-9e6e-afadd12e37b9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a068fc-0337-781d-8003-849c1a48342a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b9b-bf5e-85316ef12fa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a068fc-0337-781d-8003-849c1a48342a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a068fc-0337-7e93-83b3-a66189de154c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b9b-bf5e-85316ef12fa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a068fc-0337-7e93-83b3-a66189de154c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7c45-86a6-7a9d4545bcad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7c45-86a6-7a9d4545bcad" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c45-86a6-7a9d4545bcad_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7c45-86a6-7a9d4545bcad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c45-86a6-7a9d4545bcad_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7c45-86a6-7a9d4545bcad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-77f3-a376-9ef4a15c2b66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-77f3-a376-9ef4a15c2b66" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-77b0-9b35-833774c47dda" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:to="loc_xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-77b0-9b35-833774c47dda" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-76f1-9275-8227371a241a" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:to="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-76f1-9275-8227371a241a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember_01a068fc-0337-76fa-ba61-88e5150146de" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:to="loc_xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember_01a068fc-0337-76fa-ba61-88e5150146de" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-709f-a106-121a8658b92e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-709f-a106-121a8658b92e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-713f-92ff-f5e1737589b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-713f-92ff-f5e1737589b2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-713f-92ff-f5e1737589b2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-713f-92ff-f5e1737589b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-713f-92ff-f5e1737589b2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a25-8816-7059fce2d310" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-713f-92ff-f5e1737589b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a25-8816-7059fce2d310" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a068fc-0337-7408-8ac7-e3c76e398d1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a25-8816-7059fce2d310" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a068fc-0337-7408-8ac7-e3c76e398d1d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis_01a068fc-0337-7789-b51a-6749771e08d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis_01a068fc-0337-7789-b51a-6749771e08d5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_01a068fc-0337-79bd-8b5a-61d26c234442" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_01a068fc-0337-79bd-8b5a-61d26c234442" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityAndObligationToReturnCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-7c5c-8227-6c63648ab7e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityAndObligationToReturnCashOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityAndObligationToReturnCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-7c5c-8227-6c63648ab7e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_01a068fc-0337-79e8-98f1-8a9563175b15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_01a068fc-0337-79e8-98f1-8a9563175b15" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetAndRightToReclaimCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-7d6c-98c5-81d73e603031" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetAndRightToReclaimCashOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetAndRightToReclaimCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-7d6c-98c5-81d73e603031" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityCollateralRightToReclaimCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-758d-be81-e34ccd5b2458" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityCollateralRightToReclaimCashOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityCollateralRightToReclaimCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-758d-be81-e34ccd5b2458" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_01a068fc-0337-7af9-b734-ab50db7561fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_01a068fc-0337-7af9-b734-ab50db7561fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPurchases_01a068fc-0337-75ff-9747-f37b20fb507b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPurchases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPurchases_01a068fc-0337-75ff-9747-f37b20fb507b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSettlements_01a068fc-0337-78e0-9070-1ec59451961a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSettlements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSettlements_01a068fc-0337-78e0-9070-1ec59451961a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings_01a068fc-0337-7673-b0ee-d7edb39a65b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings_01a068fc-0337-7673-b0ee-d7edb39a65b9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetLossesGainsRecognizedAsRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilities_01a068fc-0337-7820-8e59-327af7376d6b" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetLossesGainsRecognizedAsRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:to="loc_xel_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetLossesGainsRecognizedAsRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilities_01a068fc-0337-7820-8e59-327af7376d6b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_01a068fc-0337-7b0e-a5c2-f65df0f290b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueHedgesAtFairValueNet_01a068fc-0337-7940-896c-69dc48474016" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueHedgesAtFairValueNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueHedgesAtFairValueNet_01a068fc-0337-7940-896c-69dc48474016" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_Pretaxgainslossesreclassifiedintoincomeduringtheperiodfromregulatoryassetsandliabilities_01a068fc-0337-74bf-9a3e-9507a3933fe8" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_Pretaxgainslossesreclassifiedintoincomeduringtheperiodfromregulatoryassetsandliabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_xel_Pretaxgainslossesreclassifiedintoincomeduringtheperiodfromregulatoryassetsandliabilities_01a068fc-0337-74bf-9a3e-9507a3933fe8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetCollateralObligationToReturnCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-791a-b58e-52cacf985fcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetCollateralObligationToReturnCashOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetCollateralObligationToReturnCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-791a-b58e-52cacf985fcb" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7e86-af3a-64578a4d20f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7e86-af3a-64578a4d20f8" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7051-a235-25868b90e49a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7051-a235-25868b90e49a" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/RecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#RecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/RecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-7226-822e-b6f6c0da3a94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-7226-822e-b6f6c0da3a94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7226-822e-b6f6c0da3a94_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-7226-822e-b6f6c0da3a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7226-822e-b6f6c0da3a94_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c77-85cd-2665da4996ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_01a068fc-0337-7226-822e-b6f6c0da3a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c77-85cd-2665da4996ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7d05-b0c7-45b47a1daa48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c77-85cd-2665da4996ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7d05-b0c7-45b47a1daa48" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7a38-abd2-66fda315ecad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c77-85cd-2665da4996ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_01a068fc-0337-7a38-abd2-66fda315ecad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-737d-916a-50564ae7c4b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-737d-916a-50564ae7c4b3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-737d-916a-50564ae7c4b3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-737d-916a-50564ae7c4b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-737d-916a-50564ae7c4b3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7750-881e-21140782645b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a068fc-0337-737d-916a-50564ae7c4b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7750-881e-21140782645b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a068fc-0337-7456-aca7-d4daca99fe6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7750-881e-21140782645b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a068fc-0337-7456-aca7-d4daca99fe6d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a068fc-0337-7a01-9b84-0aba4314ebd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a068fc-0337-7750-881e-21140782645b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a068fc-0337-7a01-9b84-0aba4314ebd3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7159-9825-41e359f62ad0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7159-9825-41e359f62ad0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7159-9825-41e359f62ad0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7159-9825-41e359f62ad0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7159-9825-41e359f62ad0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b9b-bf5e-85316ef12fa5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7159-9825-41e359f62ad0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b9b-bf5e-85316ef12fa5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a068fc-0337-790d-9e6e-afadd12e37b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b9b-bf5e-85316ef12fa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a068fc-0337-790d-9e6e-afadd12e37b9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a068fc-0337-781d-8003-849c1a48342a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b9b-bf5e-85316ef12fa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a068fc-0337-781d-8003-849c1a48342a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a068fc-0337-7e93-83b3-a66189de154c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b9b-bf5e-85316ef12fa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a068fc-0337-7e93-83b3-a66189de154c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7c45-86a6-7a9d4545bcad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7c45-86a6-7a9d4545bcad" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c45-86a6-7a9d4545bcad_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7c45-86a6-7a9d4545bcad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c45-86a6-7a9d4545bcad_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-7c45-86a6-7a9d4545bcad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-77f3-a376-9ef4a15c2b66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-77f3-a376-9ef4a15c2b66" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-77b0-9b35-833774c47dda" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:to="loc_xel_ElectricCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-77b0-9b35-833774c47dda" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-76f1-9275-8227371a241a" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:to="loc_xel_NaturalGasCommodityContractMember_01a068fc-0337-76f1-9275-8227371a241a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember_01a068fc-0337-76fa-ba61-88e5150146de" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:to="loc_xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember_01a068fc-0337-76fa-ba61-88e5150146de" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-709f-a106-121a8658b92e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7295-b0ed-324ae9aedc61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-709f-a106-121a8658b92e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-713f-92ff-f5e1737589b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a068fc-0337-764c-858a-1a8abc319fc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-713f-92ff-f5e1737589b2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-713f-92ff-f5e1737589b2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-713f-92ff-f5e1737589b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-713f-92ff-f5e1737589b2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a25-8816-7059fce2d310" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a068fc-0337-713f-92ff-f5e1737589b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a25-8816-7059fce2d310" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a068fc-0337-7408-8ac7-e3c76e398d1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a25-8816-7059fce2d310" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a068fc-0337-7408-8ac7-e3c76e398d1d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_01a068fc-0337-79bd-8b5a-61d26c234442" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_01a068fc-0337-79bd-8b5a-61d26c234442" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityAndObligationToReturnCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-7c5c-8227-6c63648ab7e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityAndObligationToReturnCashOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityAndObligationToReturnCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-7c5c-8227-6c63648ab7e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_01a068fc-0337-79e8-98f1-8a9563175b15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_01a068fc-0337-79e8-98f1-8a9563175b15" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetAndRightToReclaimCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-7d6c-98c5-81d73e603031" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetAndRightToReclaimCashOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetAndRightToReclaimCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-7d6c-98c5-81d73e603031" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityCollateralRightToReclaimCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-758d-be81-e34ccd5b2458" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityCollateralRightToReclaimCashOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityCollateralRightToReclaimCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-758d-be81-e34ccd5b2458" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_01a068fc-0337-7af9-b734-ab50db7561fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_01a068fc-0337-7af9-b734-ab50db7561fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPurchases_01a068fc-0337-75ff-9747-f37b20fb507b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPurchases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPurchases_01a068fc-0337-75ff-9747-f37b20fb507b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSettlements_01a068fc-0337-78e0-9070-1ec59451961a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSettlements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSettlements_01a068fc-0337-78e0-9070-1ec59451961a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings_01a068fc-0337-7673-b0ee-d7edb39a65b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings_01a068fc-0337-7673-b0ee-d7edb39a65b9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetLossesGainsRecognizedAsRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilities_01a068fc-0337-7820-8e59-327af7376d6b" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetLossesGainsRecognizedAsRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a068fc-0337-7259-82b0-6b37423b1714" xlink:to="loc_xel_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetLossesGainsRecognizedAsRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilities_01a068fc-0337-7820-8e59-327af7376d6b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_01a068fc-0337-7b0e-a5c2-f65df0f290b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueHedgesAtFairValueNet_01a068fc-0337-7940-896c-69dc48474016" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueHedgesAtFairValueNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueHedgesAtFairValueNet_01a068fc-0337-7940-896c-69dc48474016" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_Pretaxgainslossesreclassifiedintoincomeduringtheperiodfromregulatoryassetsandliabilities_01a068fc-0337-74bf-9a3e-9507a3933fe8" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_Pretaxgainslossesreclassifiedintoincomeduringtheperiodfromregulatoryassetsandliabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_xel_Pretaxgainslossesreclassifiedintoincomeduringtheperiodfromregulatoryassetsandliabilities_01a068fc-0337-74bf-9a3e-9507a3933fe8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetCollateralObligationToReturnCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-791a-b58e-52cacf985fcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetCollateralObligationToReturnCashOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetCollateralObligationToReturnCashOffset_01a068fc-0337-791a-b58e-52cacf985fcb" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7e86-af3a-64578a4d20f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7e86-af3a-64578a4d20f8" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7051-a235-25868b90e49a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7e84-95ef-84ff6719efdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7051-a235-25868b90e49a" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/FairValueofLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#FairValueofLongTermDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/FairValueofLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7c87-95d4-6689eac7c3f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a068fc-0337-7628-be79-0ec0817884a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7c87-95d4-6689eac7c3f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a068fc-0337-7628-be79-0ec0817884a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7b81-9ef9-26dd86159931" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a068fc-0337-7628-be79-0ec0817884a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7b81-9ef9-26dd86159931" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b81-9ef9-26dd86159931_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7b81-9ef9-26dd86159931" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-7b81-9ef9-26dd86159931_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-717b-a532-85f38a0eefd5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a068fc-0337-7b81-9ef9-26dd86159931" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-717b-a532-85f38a0eefd5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a068fc-0337-7127-80ef-d9be9af54ac7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a068fc-0337-717b-a532-85f38a0eefd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a068fc-0337-7127-80ef-d9be9af54ac7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a068fc-0337-7e94-bf67-42ee1b894484" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7c87-95d4-6689eac7c3f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a068fc-0337-7e94-bf67-42ee1b894484" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_01a068fc-0337-7baf-9318-aaa784d4146c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7c87-95d4-6689eac7c3f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_01a068fc-0337-7baf-9318-aaa784d4146c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BenefitPlansandOtherPostretirementBenefitsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#BenefitPlansandOtherPostretirementBenefitsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/BenefitPlansandOtherPostretirementBenefitsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_01a068fc-0337-71de-bc0e-06d9ff24e482" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_01a068fc-0337-70af-aaf5-366176360f25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_01a068fc-0337-71de-bc0e-06d9ff24e482" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_01a068fc-0337-70af-aaf5-366176360f25" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7624-ab74-32a3e5a3768d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_01a068fc-0337-70af-aaf5-366176360f25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7624-ab74-32a3e5a3768d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7624-ab74-32a3e5a3768d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7624-ab74-32a3e5a3768d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7624-ab74-32a3e5a3768d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-717d-9c40-f43f6cabf607" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7624-ab74-32a3e5a3768d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-717d-9c40-f43f6cabf607" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_01a068fc-0337-7437-93dd-460f08713e94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-717d-9c40-f43f6cabf607" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_01a068fc-0337-7437-93dd-460f08713e94" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_01a068fc-0337-74a0-8eb3-a2ca4f16f635" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-717d-9c40-f43f6cabf607" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_01a068fc-0337-74a0-8eb3-a2ca4f16f635" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-0337-7104-80f6-afcd03a433b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_01a068fc-0337-70af-aaf5-366176360f25" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-0337-7104-80f6-afcd03a433b2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-0337-7104-80f6-afcd03a433b2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-0337-7104-80f6-afcd03a433b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-0337-7104-80f6-afcd03a433b2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a41-af09-682475d9e984" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-0337-7104-80f6-afcd03a433b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a41-af09-682475d9e984" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_01a068fc-0337-7048-ba5b-a55f395e6103" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ParentCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-0337-7a41-af09-682475d9e984" xlink:to="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_01a068fc-0337-7048-ba5b-a55f395e6103" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7b18-adec-0c0fa572f2bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_01a068fc-0337-71de-bc0e-06d9ff24e482" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7b18-adec-0c0fa572f2bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_01a068fc-0337-727a-b05f-ec99faea8835" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7b18-adec-0c0fa572f2bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_01a068fc-0337-727a-b05f-ec99faea8835" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_01a068fc-0337-7de5-bcc6-cd6ce6679a15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7b18-adec-0c0fa572f2bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_01a068fc-0337-7de5-bcc6-cd6ce6679a15" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_01a068fc-0337-71d9-8351-0a47de9ece5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7b18-adec-0c0fa572f2bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_01a068fc-0337-71d9-8351-0a47de9ece5f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit_01a068fc-0337-7a68-a61c-bb28d1eb6b21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7b18-adec-0c0fa572f2bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit_01a068fc-0337-7a68-a61c-bb28d1eb6b21" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_01a068fc-0337-7073-a631-ec340eb7a7e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7b18-adec-0c0fa572f2bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_01a068fc-0337-7073-a631-ec340eb7a7e9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_DefinedBenefitPlanNetBenefitCostCreditRecognizedBeforeRegulatoryAdjustments_01a068fc-0337-70ad-b030-fd5267ea75ec" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_DefinedBenefitPlanNetBenefitCostCreditRecognizedBeforeRegulatoryAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7b18-adec-0c0fa572f2bf" xlink:to="loc_xel_DefinedBenefitPlanNetBenefitCostCreditRecognizedBeforeRegulatoryAdjustments_01a068fc-0337-70ad-b030-fd5267ea75ec" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_DefinedBenefitPlanCreditsNotRecognizedDueToEffectsofRegulation_01a068fc-0337-736f-9850-afa76103e5a7" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_DefinedBenefitPlanCreditsNotRecognizedDueToEffectsofRegulation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7b18-adec-0c0fa572f2bf" xlink:to="loc_xel_DefinedBenefitPlanCreditsNotRecognizedDueToEffectsofRegulation_01a068fc-0337-736f-9850-afa76103e5a7" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_01a068fc-0337-73bc-b110-1f28ed521e4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7b18-adec-0c0fa572f2bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_01a068fc-0337-73bc-b110-1f28ed521e4e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionContributions_01a068fc-0337-767b-9cc2-7aaee96ff6a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PensionContributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_01a068fc-0337-71de-bc0e-06d9ff24e482" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionContributions_01a068fc-0337-767b-9cc2-7aaee96ff6a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/MGPLandfillandDisposalSitesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#MGPLandfillandDisposalSitesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/MGPLandfillandDisposalSitesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SiteContingencyLineItems_01a068fc-0337-799c-b262-4ca2bf92c2c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SiteContingencyLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SiteContingencyTable_01a068fc-0337-7fd0-8c2b-4b3521b28cd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SiteContingencyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SiteContingencyLineItems_01a068fc-0337-799c-b262-4ca2bf92c2c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SiteContingencyTable_01a068fc-0337-7fd0-8c2b-4b3521b28cd1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis_01a068fc-0337-7f57-bd8f-11b0a06ce34a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SiteContingencyTable_01a068fc-0337-7fd0-8c2b-4b3521b28cd1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis_01a068fc-0337-7f57-bd8f-11b0a06ce34a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain_01a068fc-0337-7f57-bd8f-11b0a06ce34a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis_01a068fc-0337-7f57-bd8f-11b0a06ce34a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain_01a068fc-0337-7f57-bd8f-11b0a06ce34a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4c-a7b9-3b40a1aa55cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis_01a068fc-0337-7f57-bd8f-11b0a06ce34a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4c-a7b9-3b40a1aa55cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_OtherMGPLandfillOrDisposalSitesMember_01a068fc-0337-71b4-8a30-e3baab93d3b7" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_OtherMGPLandfillOrDisposalSitesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain_01a068fc-0337-7c4c-a7b9-3b40a1aa55cf" xlink:to="loc_xel_OtherMGPLandfillOrDisposalSitesMember_01a068fc-0337-71b4-8a30-e3baab93d3b7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ManufacturedGasPlantMgpSitesAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7413-b6a8-855f033706eb" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ManufacturedGasPlantMgpSitesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SiteContingencyLineItems_01a068fc-0337-799c-b262-4ca2bf92c2c5" xlink:to="loc_xel_ManufacturedGasPlantMgpSitesAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7413-b6a8-855f033706eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NumberofidentifiedMGPlandfillordisposalsitesundercurrentinvestigationandorremediation_01a068fc-0337-7fc1-ab3c-dd0d690993f6" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NumberofidentifiedMGPlandfillordisposalsitesundercurrentinvestigationandorremediation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ManufacturedGasPlantMgpSitesAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7413-b6a8-855f033706eb" xlink:to="loc_xel_NumberofidentifiedMGPlandfillordisposalsitesundercurrentinvestigationandorremediation_01a068fc-0337-7fc1-ab3c-dd0d690993f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CostOfIdentifiedMGPLandfillOrDisposalSitesUnderCurrentInvestigationAndorRemediation_01a068fc-0337-7c3e-86c5-c5af0a646e2a" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CostOfIdentifiedMGPLandfillOrDisposalSitesUnderCurrentInvestigationAndorRemediation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_xel_ManufacturedGasPlantMgpSitesAbstract_01a068fc-0337-7413-b6a8-855f033706eb" xlink:to="loc_xel_CostOfIdentifiedMGPLandfillOrDisposalSitesUnderCurrentInvestigationAndorRemediation_01a068fc-0337-7c3e-86c5-c5af0a646e2a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesEnvironmentalRequirementsWaterandWasteDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesEnvironmentalRequirementsWaterandWasteDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesEnvironmentalRequirementsWaterandWasteDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SiteContingencyLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7967-a078-e91b70c80fc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SiteContingencyLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SiteContingencyTable_01a068fc-0337-7566-a0a1-9be2eb924b01" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SiteContingencyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SiteContingencyLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7967-a078-e91b70c80fc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SiteContingencyTable_01a068fc-0337-7566-a0a1-9be2eb924b01" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d89-a9b7-aa4d7fb86e5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SiteContingencyTable_01a068fc-0337-7566-a0a1-9be2eb924b01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d89-a9b7-aa4d7fb86e5f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d89-a9b7-aa4d7fb86e5f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d89-a9b7-aa4d7fb86e5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d89-a9b7-aa4d7fb86e5f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain_01a068fc-0337-7292-b5db-2547d197c591" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis_01a068fc-0337-7d89-a9b7-aa4d7fb86e5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain_01a068fc-0337-7292-b5db-2547d197c591" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_OtherMGPLandfillOrDisposalSitesMember_01a068fc-0337-79cb-9ba8-f2fdf8a3d1bc" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_OtherMGPLandfillOrDisposalSitesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteDomain_01a068fc-0337-7292-b5db-2547d197c591" xlink:to="loc_xel_OtherMGPLandfillOrDisposalSitesMember_01a068fc-0337-79cb-9ba8-f2fdf8a3d1bc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/LeasesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#LeasesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/LeasesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_01a068fc-0337-7af4-b5b9-d85b2dcd3e44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_01a068fc-0337-7af4-b5b9-d85b2dcd3e44" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7943-a788-e484590e941d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_01a068fc-0337-7af4-b5b9-d85b2dcd3e44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7943-a788-e484590e941d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7943-a788-e484590e941d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7943-a788-e484590e941d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7943-a788-e484590e941d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d11-98d8-aecbc51c6123" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_01a068fc-0337-7943-a788-e484590e941d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d11-98d8-aecbc51c6123" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember_01a068fc-0337-7ac1-a81a-1b9ec50d8aca" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d11-98d8-aecbc51c6123" xlink:to="loc_xel_PurchasedPowerAgreementsMember_01a068fc-0337-7ac1-a81a-1b9ec50d8aca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentOtherTypesMember_01a068fc-0337-7438-871b-1fba1a98c168" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentOtherTypesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d11-98d8-aecbc51c6123" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentOtherTypesMember_01a068fc-0337-7438-871b-1fba1a98c168" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_01a068fc-0337-7aaf-8c72-d0b1342b3ff6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_01a068fc-0337-7af4-b5b9-d85b2dcd3e44" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_01a068fc-0337-7aaf-8c72-d0b1342b3ff6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a068fc-0337-7aaf-8c72-d0b1342b3ff6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_01a068fc-0337-7aaf-8c72-d0b1342b3ff6" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a068fc-0337-7aaf-8c72-d0b1342b3ff6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d9c-a53b-31645e868c18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_01a068fc-0337-7aaf-8c72-d0b1342b3ff6" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d9c-a53b-31645e868c18" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_WYCOInc.Member_01a068fc-0337-725a-b108-ffbe9b6c0c4c" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_WYCOInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a068fc-0337-7d9c-a53b-31645e868c18" xlink:to="loc_xel_WYCOInc.Member_01a068fc-0337-725a-b108-ffbe9b6c0c4c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAmortization_01a068fc-0337-7842-b639-8dfb15f99ed2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAmortization_01a068fc-0337-7842-b639-8dfb15f99ed2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseInterestExpense_01a068fc-0337-7bcb-8672-00811764bfde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseInterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseInterestExpense_01a068fc-0337-7bcb-8672-00811764bfde" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_FinanceLeaseCost_01a068fc-0337-7be9-bdce-f4bc8ac10ab7" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_FinanceLeaseCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_xel_FinanceLeaseCost_01a068fc-0337-7be9-bdce-f4bc8ac10ab7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost_01a068fc-0337-7362-8337-9637bbeedb61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost_01a068fc-0337-7362-8337-9637bbeedb61" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue_01a068fc-0337-7e95-9440-e0e33d194b56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue_01a068fc-0337-7e95-9440-e0e33d194b56" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue_01a068fc-0337-768f-a365-8e4cc8136d8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue_01a068fc-0337-768f-a365-8e4cc8136d8b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount_01a068fc-0337-76cd-8a26-0d4857134d45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount_01a068fc-0337-76cd-8a26-0d4857134d45" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount_01a068fc-0337-7a3e-9695-20d37ce018ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount_01a068fc-0337-7a3e-9695-20d37ce018ae" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_01a068fc-0337-7914-99e2-b85a113899d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_01a068fc-0337-7914-99e2-b85a113899d3" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiability_01a068fc-0337-7466-8175-b95912ab9df0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiability_01a068fc-0337-7466-8175-b95912ab9df0" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7d50-a4e4-9f706fa48921" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent_01a068fc-0337-7d50-a4e4-9f706fa48921" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent_01a068fc-0337-76fc-858b-be59b8347f1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent_01a068fc-0337-76fc-858b-be59b8347f1d" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_01a068fc-0337-7865-84f8-d7bd58ddfeed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_01a068fc-0337-7865-84f8-d7bd58ddfeed" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_01a068fc-0337-76b6-b07d-a7896329fdc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_01a068fc-0337-76b6-b07d-a7896329fdc3" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_01a068fc-0337-7af4-8aca-71a06c3d2867" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7ff1-9395-721e0f9a476e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_01a068fc-0337-7af4-8aca-71a06c3d2867" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#VariableInterestEntitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_01a068fc-0337-793e-8e55-ad3223750d3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_01a068fc-0337-74ca-a0df-54ebac819902" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_01a068fc-0337-793e-8e55-ad3223750d3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_01a068fc-0337-74ca-a0df-54ebac819902" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-0337-7830-82a7-fb6aec3a75ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_01a068fc-0337-74ca-a0df-54ebac819902" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-0337-7830-82a7-fb6aec3a75ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-0337-7830-82a7-fb6aec3a75ae_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-0337-7830-82a7-fb6aec3a75ae" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-0337-7830-82a7-fb6aec3a75ae_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-0337-75b5-a740-d303759cdba3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a068fc-0337-7830-82a7-fb6aec3a75ae" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-0337-75b5-a740-d303759cdba3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_01a068fc-0337-7aaa-9007-bc9f2b40a898" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a068fc-0337-75b5-a740-d303759cdba3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_01a068fc-0337-7aaa-9007-bc9f2b40a898" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_GeneratingCapacityUnderLongTermPurchasedPowerAgreements_01a068fc-0337-75a3-a6fe-0c3722936d02" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_GeneratingCapacityUnderLongTermPurchasedPowerAgreements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_01a068fc-0337-793e-8e55-ad3223750d3b" xlink:to="loc_xel_GeneratingCapacityUnderLongTermPurchasedPowerAgreements_01a068fc-0337-75a3-a6fe-0c3722936d02" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesMarshallWildfireDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesMarshallWildfireDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesMarshallWildfireDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7402-b866-07c0082c80e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_01a068fc-0337-70e9-a206-f533e25f138b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7402-b866-07c0082c80e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_01a068fc-0337-70e9-a206-f533e25f138b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_01a068fc-0337-73ce-9769-4656bc1d4f82" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_01a068fc-0337-70e9-a206-f533e25f138b" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_01a068fc-0337-73ce-9769-4656bc1d4f82" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-73ce-9769-4656bc1d4f82_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_01a068fc-0337-73ce-9769-4656bc1d4f82" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-73ce-9769-4656bc1d4f82_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7582-a471-a13dcffb42eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_01a068fc-0337-73ce-9769-4656bc1d4f82" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7582-a471-a13dcffb42eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_MarshallWildfireSettlementMember_01a068fc-0337-77f9-afea-cafb88cb9a3e" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_MarshallWildfireSettlementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7582-a471-a13dcffb42eb" xlink:to="loc_xel_MarshallWildfireSettlementMember_01a068fc-0337-77f9-afea-cafb88cb9a3e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement_01a068fc-0337-7469-9b7f-58e31f791757" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7402-b866-07c0082c80e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement_01a068fc-0337-7469-9b7f-58e31f791757" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7199-b7eb-75461dca2bf3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_01a068fc-0337-7ae4-b1e1-615570a55f9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7199-b7eb-75461dca2bf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_01a068fc-0337-7ae4-b1e1-615570a55f9d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a068fc-0337-7e4a-a829-0ab8933dddaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_01a068fc-0337-7ae4-b1e1-615570a55f9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a068fc-0337-7e4a-a829-0ab8933dddaf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-0337-7e4a-a829-0ab8933dddaf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a068fc-0337-7e4a-a829-0ab8933dddaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-0337-7e4a-a829-0ab8933dddaf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-0337-780a-bf59-be31ee2ae49e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a068fc-0337-7e4a-a829-0ab8933dddaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-0337-780a-bf59-be31ee2ae49e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_01a068fc-0337-70bc-9973-08d8b410fadb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-0337-780a-bf59-be31ee2ae49e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_01a068fc-0337-70bc-9973-08d8b410fadb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_01a068fc-0337-7cd7-8411-17388bf9ff35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-0337-780a-bf59-be31ee2ae49e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_01a068fc-0337-7cd7-8411-17388bf9ff35" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_01a068fc-0337-78cb-8c8d-9e51f7353cd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a068fc-0337-780a-bf59-be31ee2ae49e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_01a068fc-0337-78cb-8c8d-9e51f7353cd9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-721d-9717-4ca8fae36c3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_01a068fc-0337-7ae4-b1e1-615570a55f9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-721d-9717-4ca8fae36c3f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-721d-9717-4ca8fae36c3f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-721d-9717-4ca8fae36c3f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-721d-9717-4ca8fae36c3f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7623-aee0-6fe07883f364" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a068fc-0337-721d-9717-4ca8fae36c3f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7623-aee0-6fe07883f364" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-79df-a92b-6562f5b6234b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a068fc-0337-7623-aee0-6fe07883f364" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a068fc-0337-79df-a92b-6562f5b6234b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_01a068fc-0337-711d-907a-d2ae3a431812" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7199-b7eb-75461dca2bf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_01a068fc-0337-711d-907a-d2ae3a431812" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_01a068fc-0337-7006-95f9-988691261c38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7199-b7eb-75461dca2bf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_01a068fc-0337-7006-95f9-988691261c38" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_01a068fc-0337-778c-9910-a2e983762705" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7199-b7eb-75461dca2bf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_01a068fc-0337-778c-9910-a2e983762705" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_01a068fc-0337-74ec-88cf-811b1db28af7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7199-b7eb-75461dca2bf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_01a068fc-0337-74ec-88cf-811b1db28af7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax_01a068fc-0337-77e7-8a43-deccd3b02521" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7199-b7eb-75461dca2bf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax_01a068fc-0337-77e7-8a43-deccd3b02521" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#SegmentInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.xcelenergy.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a068fc-0337-7f4f-a32f-9ee4417e8d55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a068fc-0337-7f4f-a32f-9ee4417e8d55" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a068fc-0337-7aa8-addb-e3232f152fb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a068fc-0337-7f4f-a32f-9ee4417e8d55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a068fc-0337-7aa8-addb-e3232f152fb0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-0337-7aa8-addb-e3232f152fb0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a068fc-0337-7aa8-addb-e3232f152fb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-0337-7aa8-addb-e3232f152fb0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-0337-75b6-8ca4-7db9b5b0f0d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a068fc-0337-7aa8-addb-e3232f152fb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-0337-75b6-8ca4-7db9b5b0f0d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember_01a068fc-0337-74ce-9917-9fb790db34be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-0337-75b6-8ca4-7db9b5b0f0d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember_01a068fc-0337-74ce-9917-9fb790db34be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_RegulatedElectricSegmentMember_01a068fc-0337-7e8d-adb0-b8574ceac7d7" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_RegulatedElectricSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-0337-75b6-8ca4-7db9b5b0f0d1" xlink:to="loc_xel_RegulatedElectricSegmentMember_01a068fc-0337-7e8d-adb0-b8574ceac7d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_RegulatedNaturalGasSegmentMember_01a068fc-0337-706f-99df-a042468cf40d" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_RegulatedNaturalGasSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a068fc-0337-75b6-8ca4-7db9b5b0f0d1" xlink:to="loc_xel_RegulatedNaturalGasSegmentMember_01a068fc-0337-706f-99df-a042468cf40d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a068fc-0337-77fe-8617-f447f06bcafc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a068fc-0337-7f4f-a32f-9ee4417e8d55" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a068fc-0337-77fe-8617-f447f06bcafc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a068fc-0337-77fe-8617-f447f06bcafc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a068fc-0337-77fe-8617-f447f06bcafc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a068fc-0337-77fe-8617-f447f06bcafc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7bca-9748-4b8943f1c13e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a068fc-0337-77fe-8617-f447f06bcafc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7bca-9748-4b8943f1c13e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_01a068fc-0337-7b45-b2d9-cfc14c0e0d52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7bca-9748-4b8943f1c13e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_01a068fc-0337-7b45-b2d9-cfc14c0e0d52" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_01a068fc-0337-7b70-83e9-a41c2026f70d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a068fc-0337-7bca-9748-4b8943f1c13e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_01a068fc-0337-7b70-83e9-a41c2026f70d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_RegulatedOperatingRevenueElectric_01a068fc-0337-7956-b116-5daa0dd6442b" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_RegulatedOperatingRevenueElectric"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_xel_RegulatedOperatingRevenueElectric_01a068fc-0337-7956-b116-5daa0dd6442b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatedOperatingRevenueGas_01a068fc-0337-756f-809f-28b2f63a5763" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatedOperatingRevenueGas"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatedOperatingRevenueGas_01a068fc-0337-756f-809f-28b2f63a5763" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_RevenuesIncludingIntersegmentRevenues_01a068fc-0337-7ce0-a4d5-71d35196115a" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_RevenuesIncludingIntersegmentRevenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_xel_RevenuesIncludingIntersegmentRevenues_01a068fc-0337-7ce0-a4d5-71d35196115a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatedOperatingRevenue_01a068fc-0337-76f2-bc47-3886b0e05d2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatedOperatingRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatedOperatingRevenue_01a068fc-0337-76f2-bc47-3886b0e05d2f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_ElectricFuelandPurchasedPower_01a068fc-0337-729e-aaa1-adb9109ff687" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_ElectricFuelandPurchasedPower"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_xel_ElectricFuelandPurchasedPower_01a068fc-0337-729e-aaa1-adb9109ff687" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_CostofnaturalGasSoldandTransported_01a068fc-0337-79bc-b86c-a4e9aa395702" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_CostofnaturalGasSoldandTransported"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_xel_CostofnaturalGasSoldandTransported_01a068fc-0337-79bc-b86c-a4e9aa395702" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceOperationsAndOtherCostsAndExpenses_01a068fc-0337-73df-a406-be2608ee0635" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceOperationsAndOtherCostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceOperationsAndOtherCostsAndExpenses_01a068fc-0337-73df-a406-be2608ee0635" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseDepreciationAndAmortization_01a068fc-0337-7930-bebc-3e3343aad76e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseDepreciationAndAmortization_01a068fc-0337-7930-bebc-3e3343aad76e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_01a068fc-0337-7812-a7e6-16722589d50a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_01a068fc-0337-7812-a7e6-16722589d50a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndDebtExpense_01a068fc-0337-7ccf-8869-c9f5abb01980" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestAndDebtExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndDebtExpense_01a068fc-0337-7ccf-8869-c9f5abb01980" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_01a068fc-0337-72d6-afc8-b2c570558f8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_01a068fc-0337-72d6-afc8-b2c570558f8e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_01a068fc-0337-70d7-a1f2-43d24212e846" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_01a068fc-0337-70d7-a1f2-43d24212e846" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_01a068fc-0337-7886-a018-2d03c723015d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_01a068fc-0337-7886-a018-2d03c723015d" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_xel_NumberOfReportableSegmentsDisclosedByDefinitionFlag_01a068fc-0337-77c6-a4da-d95348903149" xlink:href="xel-20260930.xsd#xel_NumberOfReportableSegmentsDisclosedByDefinitionFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a068fc-0337-7d88-92e1-3134e58e31b4" xlink:to="loc_xel_NumberOfReportableSegmentsDisclosedByDefinitionFlag_01a068fc-0337-77c6-a4da-d95348903149" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
