EDF Renewables North America has entered into a build and transfer agreement (BTA) with Arizona utility Tucson Electric Power (TEP) for the 247.4 MW Oso Grande Wind Project in southeastern New Mexico.
EDF will complete development of the project and manage the construction process on behalf of TEP. Construction is expected to commence later this year, with full operation by the end of 2020.
The Oso Grande Wind Project will include 61 wind turbines, which will produce power for TEP through existing transmission lines that connect to the utility’s transmission system in eastern Arizona.
“EDF Renewables is pleased to partner with TEP to supply cost-competitive renewable energy to its customers from the Oso Grande Wind Project,” says Ryan Pfaff, executive vice president of grid-scale power at EDF Renewables. “We look forward to assisting TEP in meeting its clean energy goals by completing Oso Grande in the second half of 2020.”
TEP’s president and CEO, David G. Hutchens, adds, “This cost-effective system will become TEP’s largest renewable energy resource, accelerating our progress toward our clean energy goals while allowing us to help customers achieve their own sustainability objectives.”
When the project is complete, TEP’s renewable energy production is expected to exceed 28% of its retail sales. That level would more than double the state’s requirement for 2021 while approaching the 30% goal TEP has planned to achieve by 2030.
