Duke Energy Renewables, a commercial business unit of Duke Energy, has announced plans for the largest wind project in its fleet, the 350 MW Frontier Windpower II project in Kay County, Okla.
The project is an expansion of Frontier Windpower, which has been operational since December 2016. Once complete, Frontier I and II will generate a total of 550 MW of wind energy – together, enough to power approximately 193,000 homes.
Ball Corp. has signed a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) for 161 MW of the Frontier II project. Another undisclosed corporation has signed a VPPA for an additional 160 MW (to be announced later this year).
“Frontier II will deliver clean energy for Oklahoma and significant economic benefits to the area,” says Rob Caldwell, president of Duke Energy Renewables. “We’re pleased to be working with the Ball Corp. on the Frontier II project, which will be located in an area that has some of the best wind resources in the country.”
Ball was advised on the Frontier II VPPA by Schneider Electric Energy and Sustainability Services, which assisted the company with project selection and negotiations.
Full mobilization for construction of Frontier II will occur later this summer. The wind project is expected to be fully operational by December 2020. During peak construction, it will create approximately 250 jobs.
Nordex Group will supply 74 4.8-MW wind turbines for the site. Amshore US Wind provided development support for the project, and Wanzek Construction is the contractor.
