In anticipation of meeting renewable mandates now required by law, Kennewick, Wash.-based Benton Public Utilities District (PUD) has purchased a 3% share (6.14 MW) of Klickitat PUD's 16% share of the White Creek Wind Project. Based on a one-third capacity factor, this represents 2 MW.
Benton PUD invested $11 million from reserves for renewable energy from the White Creek Wind project to meet mandates imposed by the Energy Independence Act, which states that the utility must generate at least 3% of its power from renewable sources by 2012, not including hydro.
Benton PUD's purchase, in addition to the purchase of 3 MW from the Nine Canyon Wind project and a previous deal for 1 MW from White Creek, provides the district 6 MW of renewable power, which is enough to cover the forecasted amount needed for the 2012 mandate.
The White Creek Project, located in the Columbia River Gorge, has 89 wind turbines with the total capacity of 205 MW. The project was developed by Cowlitz PUD, Klickitat PUD, Lakeview Light & Power and Tanner Electric Co-op and began producing power in November 2007.
SOURCE: Benton Public Utilities District
