Western Farmers Electric Cooperative has entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with NextEra Energy Resources for a combined wind, solar and energy storage project.
Located in Oklahoma, the project, totaling 700 MW, includes Skeleton Creek Wind, a 250 MW project expected to begin operations by the end of this year; Skeleton Creek Solar, a 250 MW project expected to begin operations by the end of 2023; and Skeleton Creek Storage, a 200 MW, four-hour battery storage project expected to begin operations by the end of 2023.
WFEC is a generation and transmission cooperative that provides electric service to 21 member cooperatives, Altus Air Force Base and other power users. These members are located primarily in Oklahoma and New Mexico, with some service territories extending into portions of Texas and Kansas.
“At Western Farmers, we are always looking for ways to better serve our customers with reliable, low-cost and environmentally friendly energy,” says Gary Roulet, CEO of WFEC. “With the price of wind and solar energy lower than ever, we are now able to pair it with battery storage to make more affordable renewable energy available to customers for more hours of the day – even when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.”
“Pairing renewable energy with battery storage presents a tremendous advantage for Western Farmers and its customers,” notes John Ketchum, president and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources. “With this combined facility, we can optimize and maximize the amount of low cost, emissions-free electricity we provide, while helping Western Farmers diversify its power generation portfolio, reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and set a great example for others to follow.”
