Feb 16 2010
With the signing of a 20-year power purchase agreement by the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), Edison Mission Group (EMG), Laredo Ridge Wind and Midwest Wind Energy, the construction of the 80-MW Laredo Ridge Wind Energy Project is set to begin.
The Laredo Ridge Wind Energy Project, which is located near Petersburg in Nebraska, is scheduled for completion by 2010 end. NPPD, in an effort to develop wind farms near Petersburg and/or Broken Bow, in November 2008, had issued a request for proposal. It had received 22 proposals from various wind farm developers in April 2009. NPPD selected 5 from the 22 proposals that it had received for further negotiations. Finally, it has selected wind projects offered by EMG and Midwest Wind Energy near Broken Bow and Petersburg.
The project will be owned and operated by Laredo Ridge Wind as per the terms of the agreement and the electric output will be purchased by NPPD. For the proposed Broken Bow wind farm also, negotiations for the power purchase agreement have been entered into by the parties. Currently, Midwest Wind Energy/Edison Mission has a power purchase agreement for Elkhorn Ridge Wind Farm with NPPD. The 80-MK wind farm, located near Bloomfield, Nebraska, commenced operations in 2009.
Dave Rich, NPPD renewable energy development manager, said this latest power purchase agreement will help NPPD to accomplish its goal of reaching 10% of energy generated through renewable energy resources by the year 2020. City of Grand Island Utilities, the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska and Lincoln Electric System have shown interest to purchase power from this wind project, Rich said.
Source: www.nppd.com