Grain Belt Express Clean Line LLC, an affiliate of Houston-based Clean Line Energy Partners, says a recent request for information (RFI) issued to wind generators has shown there are high-quality wind resources in and around western Kansas. According to the developer, its overhead, direct current transmission project could help the state realize its full wind power potential.
The company says the data from the RFI shows wind developers in the western Kansas region are developing projects with the capability to produce over 13.5 GW. These projects demonstrate the need for new transmission capacity to access areas with a strong demand for renewable power, the company adds, noting the 13.5 GW of proposed projects represent more than three times the 3.5 GW delivery capacity of the Grain Belt Express.
While pricing details will not be made public, Grain Belt says the proposed costs of energy submitted through the RFI were in line with other wind energy power purchase agreements recently signed in this region.
Grain Belt Express is a public utility in Kansas and Indiana and received an order from the Kansas Corporation Commission in November 2013, granting a siting permit to construct the 370-mile Kansas portion of the line.
