The City of Grand Island has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) to purchase approximately 36 MW of power from Invenergy's Prairie Breeze III Wind Energy Center, planned for Antelope County, Neb.
According to Invenergy, the Prairie Breeze III wind farm will consist of 20 GE wind turbines, with construction scheduled to begin this summer and conclude in 2016. The PPA represents Grand Island's first direct renewable energy purchase.
The announcement comes after a city council resolution to approve the Grand Island Utilities Department's negotiation and execution of a PPA. The department provides water and electric services for approximately 50,000 residential and business customers within the municipality.
A portion of the output from Prairie Breeze III may be purchased from the City of Grand Island by two neighboring municipalities that have an interest in project participation.
