Enel Green Power North America Inc. (EGPNA) has announced the start of operations of the 320 MW Rattlesnake Creek wind farm in Nebraska and the 300 MW Diamond Vista wind farm in Kansas.
Combined, the two new projects will generate around 2,600 GWh annually, according to EGPNA. With these two wind farms, the total renewable capacity that Enel Green Power has connected to grids around the world this year amounts to approximately 2.6 GW, including 830 MW in North America.
The Rattlesnake Creek wind farm, located in Dixon County, is fully contracted with long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs): Adobe will purchase the energy from a 10 MW portion through 2028, and Facebook will gradually buy the wind farm’s full output by 2029. The investment in the construction of Rattlesnake Creek, which is expected to generate around 1,300 GWh annually, amounts to approximately $430 million. The project represents Enel’s first wind farm in Nebraska.
Speaking on the PPA with Enel, Vince Digneo, Adobe’s sustainability strategist, says, “This collaboration marks a true milestone in working together to achieve a low-carbon economy.”
The Diamond Vista wind farm, located in Marion and Dickinson counties, is supported by three separate long-term PPAs. The electricity and renewable energy credits from a 100 MW portion will be sold to global manufacturing company Kohler Co. to supply 100% of the annual electricity needed to power the company’s U.S. and Canadian operations, including its 85 manufacturing facilities, offices and warehouses, while reducing its global greenhouse-gas emissions by more than 25%.
Additionally, the output and renewable energy credits from another 100 MW portion of the facility will be sold to City Utilities of Springfield, and those from an 84 MW portion will be sold to Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC) of Oklahoma. The investment in the construction of Diamond Vista, which is also expected to generate around 1,300 GWh annually, amounts to around $400 million.
“TCEC is always looking for ways to meet rising demand and control rates for our members,” comments Zac Perkins, CEO of TCEC. “Our agreement with the Diamond Vista wind project is an innovative way to achieve those goals and an added benefit to our membership.”
In addition, EGPNA signed tax equity agreements with Bank of America Merrill Lynch and J.P. Morgan for the two wind farms. The investment banks will purchase 100% of the Class B equity interests of Rattlesnake Creek for around $334 million. Under a separate agreement, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and J.P. Morgan will also purchase 100% of the Class B equity interests of Diamond Vista for around $317 million. Enel retains 100% ownership of the Class A interests, as well as control over the management and operation of both wind farms.
“With the completion of Rattlesnake Creek and Diamond Vista, we have now added more than 800 MW of new wind capacity in 2018 in the U.S., strengthening our growth in the country and confirming our position as partner of choice for commercial and industrial customers,” says Antonio Cammisecra, head of Enel Green Power. “These projects further demonstrate our ability to develop customized solutions that best meet the renewable energy needs of our customers.”
