Westar Energy Inc., a Topeka, Kan.-headquartered electric utility, has reached tentative agreements with developers who will build three wind farms in Kansas totaling approximately 300 MW. The agreements represent more than a half-billion dollar commitment to wind power and will make Westar's wind energy program the largest in Kansas, the company says.
Central Plains Wind Farm will be a 99 MW project in Wichita County between Leoti and Scott City, and the developer for the project is RES America Developments Inc. Westar will own the generation at this location, which is expected to begin producing electricity in late 2008.
In addition, Westar will purchase under contract 96 MW from the Meridian Way Wind Farm in Cloud County. Horizon Wind Energy, a company owned by Energias de Portugal, developed, owns and will operate the 201 MW wind farm. The 96 MW that Westar will purchase is scheduled to be available in late 2008.
The Flat Ridge Wind Farm is a proposed 100 MW project to be located in Barber County. BP Alternative Energy North America Inc. is developing the project through its subsidiary, Flat Ridge Wind Energy LLC, Westar says. Construction of the project is expected to start in 2008. At completion, Westar will own 50 MW of power generation and will purchase the remaining 50 MW under a power purchase agreement.
