Southern Power has started operating its first wind project, a 299-megawatt project in Kay County, Oklahoma.
The electricity and associated renewable energy credits generated by the Kay wind farm will be sold under 20-year power purchase agreements with Westar Energy Inc. in Kansas and Grand River Dam Authority in Oklahoma. Westar Energy has contracted for approximately 199MW, and GRDA has contracted for approximately 100MW. Both companies will have the option to either keep or sell the RECs.
Apex Clean Energy developed and will operate and maintain the facility. Blattner Energy Inc. served as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor.
The Kay Wind project consists of 130 wind turbines manufactured by Siemens and is capable of generating enough electricity to help meet the energy needs of approximately 100,000 average U.S. homes. Southern Power has also entered into an agreement to acquire the Grant Wind facility — a 150-MW project in Grant County, Oklahoma — upon successful completion of construction, which is expected to be in 2016. The facility is expected to utilize 66 wind turbines manufactured by Siemens.