The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is taking comments through Nov. 25 on a proposed sales agreement with Idaho Winds LLC for a wind project in Elmore County.
The company wants to build and operate a 21 MW facility that will be known as the Sawtooth Wind Project. Though its optimum capacity is 21 MW, under normal conditions, it will not exceed 10 MW on a monthly basis, according to the company. The wind project is scheduled to be in operation by Dec. 31, 2012.
The project will operate as a qualifying facility under the provisions of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, which requires electric utilities to offer to buy power produced by qualifying small-power producers or co-generators.
Under the proposed 20-year contract, Idaho Power would pay the posted rate of $75.45/MWh during months of normal demand in the first full year of the contract, which is anticipated to be 2013. Under the agreement, the price gradually increases through the 20-year life of the contract.
The commission plans to handle the case under a modified procedure that uses written comments rather than conducting a hearing, unless customer comments can demonstrate a need for a public hearing.
SOURCE: The Idaho Public Utilities Commission
