Nebraska Public Power District's (NPPD) board of directors has authorized entering into power purchase agreements (PPAs) with wind farm developers for up to 150 MW of additional wind-powered generation to be installed in 2008 and 2009.
The NPPD board also directed the management team to continue discussions with Omaha Public Power District (OPPD), Lincoln Electric System, Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) and the City of Grand Island regarding their participation for up to 50% of total wind-powered generation from the projects currently under negotiation.
NPPD will be working with individual developers to reach final agreements on three proposed projects that individually are 30 MW, 40 MW and 80 MW. Negotiations are expected to be completed by the end of 2007, according to NPPD. The wind farm developers' names and locations are not being released at this time due to the ongoing negotiations.
NPPD currently owns and operates the Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility south of Ainsworth, Neb., where 36 turbines produce approximately 60 MW of wind power. OPPD, MEAN, the City of Grand Island and the Jacksonville Electric Authority are participants in the Ainsworth project.
