Columbus, Neb.-based Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) received a total of seven proposals for wind energy generation projects in response to its July request for proposals (RFP) and is now evaluating applications, the utility reports.
Private developers, including community-based energy development groups, were among those entities that submitted proposals. The RFP was for a total of up to 100 MW of wind power capacity, associated energy and renewable energy credits to be located near NPPD transmission facilities with a target operational date of Dec. 31, 2008.
According to NPPD, a successful proposal will require the negotiation of a power purchase agreement for NPPD to purchase electricity from the proposed facility over a 20-year period. After thorough evaluation internally by NPPD, recommendations will be presented to the board of directors.
In addition, the utility plans to conduct a wind study that involves obtaining land options from local landowners and, if they are interested, installing several temporary wind monitoring stations to gather wind speed data for one year.
