Vestas Turbines Will Power PGE Biglow Canyon Wind Project
Portland, OR — Portland General Electric Company announced that it has executed an agreement with Vestas Wind Systems, of Denmark, to acquire 76 turbines for phase one construction of the 25,000-acre Biglow Canyon Wind Farm in Sherman County, Oregon. The turbines will each have the capacity to generate 1.65 megawatts (MW) of electricity, for a total of 125.4 MW – enough power to supply the needs of about 32,000 homes.
The Biglow Canyon project was developed by Orion Energy LLC and will be built, owned and operated by PGE.
"We're very pleased to be working with Vestas on this project," said Jim Lobdell, PGE's vice president for power operations and resource strategy. "Wind power will be an increasingly important part of our portfolio in coming years, and Biglow Canyon Phase I will be a model for future developments. Vestas has an outstanding record of success and will help us assure that we're off to a good start."
"Vestas is encouraged by the continuing growth of wind power in the Pacific Northwest. The order with Portland General Electric is a further strengthening of Vestas' activities in the region. Vestas is pleased to be a supplier to Portland General Electric for this wind power project and we look forward to a long-term cooperation with this important customer," says Jens Søby, President of Vestas Americas.
PGE could ultimately construct between 350 and 450 MW of wind energy capacity at the Biglow Canyon site, which could produce enough electricity to power 100,000 homes. This would make it one of the largest wind power projects in the region. PGE proposes to construct the wind farm in three phases during a five-year timeframe.
PGE officials said the project fits well with what customers want and with the company's goal to minimize energy price volatility by reducing exposure to fuel costs.
"We're pleased that our agreement with Vestas will allow us to proceed with phase one on schedule, and optimistic that this will position us well to proceed with the remaining phases in future years" said Lobdell.
In combination with existing wind resources, this first phase of Biglow Canyon will allow PGE to offer its customers access to a total of 225 MW of wind energy capacity. PGE customers already receive all 75 MW of wind capacity from PPM Energy's Klondike II wind farm in Sherman County through a 30-year agreement that began last year, and 25 MW of wind capacity from the Vansycle Ridge wind farm in Umatilla County.
Completion of Biglow Canyon phase one is anticipated by December 2007. In combination with the Klondike II contract this will fulfill PGE's 200 MW wind power target from the company's 2002 Integrated Resource Plan.
SOURCE: Portland General Electric Company