NextEra Energy commissions fifth wind project, announces sixth

The players are the same. The location is different.

Basin Electric Power Cooperative - June 7, 2010

Basin Electric and NextEra Energy Resources have teamed up again to build a wind project in North Dakota by the end of 2010. It'll be located near Baldwin, about 12 miles north of Bismarck near the Wilton projects. The project will be built, owned and operated by NextEra Energy, Juno Beach, FL. The electricity produced will be purchased by Basin Electric and incorporated with its other generating resources.

In mid April, officials from Basin Electric and NextEra Energy signed a 30-year contract whereby Basin Electric will purchase 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the Baldwin project. The project will have up to 68 turbines, each with a generating capacity of up to 1.6 MW.

This will be the sixth wind project partnership between the two organizations. The other five wind projects are located near Wilton (two phases) and Edgeley, ND, and Highmore and Day County, SD.

Ron Harper, Basin Electric's general manager and CEO, said this project provides some long-term assurance for the future. "In the event renewable portfolio standards become a reality, either on a state-by-state basis or a national basis, this project provides Basin Electric with enough renewable generation to meet anticipated standards for years to come." The renewable energy attributes or credits from those resources are used to meet member needs, state requirements or sold to third parties to help support the economics of these resources.

"Wind energy creates jobs and strengthens our energy security," said Mike O'Sullivan, senior vice president of Development, NextEra Energy. "We are pleased to once again be partnering with Basin Electric to bring the economic and environmental benefits of wind power to North Dakota."

Day County project operational

The Baldwin announcement comes on the heels of the commercial operation of the fifth wind partnership between Basin Electric and NextEra Energy. The Day County Wind Project about 20 miles east of Groton, SD, was declared commercial at about 6 p.m. on April 7. Planning is under way for a dedication ceremony to be held at the site on June 22.

Day County has a generating capacity of 99 megawatts (MW) and features 66 1.5-MW wind turbines. East River Electric Power Cooperative, Madison, SD, constructed 9.5 miles of transmission line to connect the project to the grid.

Basin Electric purchases the entire production from the project; however, during the first three years the electricity produced will be sold to the Western Area Power Administration, a federal power marketing agency.

"This really provides a quadruple benefit. Basin Electric has a new resource of renewable energy, NextEra Energy could develop the project because they have a buyer, East River provided the transmission facility, and Western can purchase renewable energy to meet its drought-related replacement energy needs," Harper said.

"Western recognizes how valuable customer partnerships are as we seek to provide our customers with reliable, cost-based power and energy. This agreement is just one of many successful partnerships Western has with Basin Electric," said Tim Meeks, Western's administrator.

"East River is pleased to be a part of expanding the use of wind energy for both its members and Basin Electric. East River's work force demonstrated exceptional efforts building transmission to energize this project. We are pleased to be an integral part of making this project happen," said Jeff Nelson, East River general manager.

John DiDonato, vice president of wind development for NextEra Energy, said, "We appreciate Basin Electric's commitment to wind power as well as the cooperation of our other partners, East River and Western, in helping make this project a reality."

In addition to the NextEra partnerships, Basin Electric is planning a cooperative-owned 151.5-MW wind project near Crow Lake, SD. That project is scheduled to be complete by early 2011.