Washington utility Puget Sound Energy (PUGSP.PK) announced the start of construction on the 343-megawatts (MW) Phase I of the Lower Snake River Wind Project.
Washington’s oldest energy utility said it is creating more clean energy jobs by pursuing federal stimulus-package funding and state incentives for using apprentice labor during construction, which improve the economics of the project.
The utility has finalized negotiations with Siemens Energy (NYSE: SI) for 149 wind turbines, rated at 2.3 MW each, for Phase I. With a generating capacity of 343 MW, the wind energy facility is expected to provide clean power for more than 100,000 homes.
PSE has chosen Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Americas) for
the construction of the project infrastructure. RES Americas has either
developed or constructed more than 10% of the installed wind capacity
in the U.S. including existing facilities in southeast Washington.
Construction of Phase I will create up to 150 temporary jobs, with the eventual commercial operations creating as many as 25 permanent wind jobs.
PSE said it is building Phase I of the Lower Snake River Wind Project now, in part, to meet the utility’s longer-term state renewable energy requirements, but also to protect against energy-market price volatility and the "carbon costs" government is likely to impose on utilities to address climate change.
Phase I will be built near Pomeroy, Wash., on nearly 40,000 acres of leased farmland. More than 98% of the land will remain available for crops once the wind facility enters operation, with farmers receiving lease and royalty payments for participating in the project.
"Wind power and wheat farming are great partners, and we look forward to this new opportunity for families in our area," said Alesia Ruchert, managing director for Garfield County of the SouthEast Washington Economic Development Association, based in Pomeroy. "Harvesting the wind is the next logical step in agriculture for Garfield County and will provide significant tax benefits to county operations such as the fire and school districts."
PSE is finalizing development of additional phases of the Lower Snake
River Wind Project, including neighboring Columbia County, where the
utility currently owns and operates the 87-turbine, 157-MW Hopkins Ridge
Wind Facility near the city of Dayton. PSE also operates business
offices in both Dayton and Pomeroy. In addition, PSE owns and operates
the 149-turbine, 273-MW Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility near
Ellensburg, Kittitas County.
PSE is recognized by the American Wind Energy Association as the nation’s second-largest utility owner and operator of wind power.
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