Gulf Power has filed a petition asking the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) to approve an agreement to purchase the output from the 180 MW Kingfisher Wind farm, located in Piedmont, Okla.
According to Gulf Power, approval by the FPSC would make the utility a leading purchaser of wind generation among Florida utilities. In fact, the wind farm would represent 5% of Gulf Power's energy mix. The agreement would also be the first of its kind in Florida.
The 89-turbine wind farm is expected to reach commercial operation by Dec. 31.
‘Kingfisher Wind will help Gulf Power add renewable generation that makes environmental and economic sense,’ says Jeff Rogers, corporate communications manager. ‘Smart renewables, like Kingfisher Wind, are cost-effective for customers.’
The utility is no stranger to renewables, however. In January, Gulf Power partnered with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force to build solar energy plants at three facilities across northwest Florida. The FPSC is reviewing the solar projects as well.
If approved, the solar energy farms – which could be in service as early as December 2016, will be constructed at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach (30 MW), Holley Field in Navarre (40 MW) and Saufley Field in Pensacola (50 MW).
‘Adding alternative energy facilities to our energy portfolio mix takes a large amount of careful planning to ensure we provide our customers with what they want and need – renewable energy that diversifies our power supply while remaining cost effective,’ Rogers says.
