“Westar Energy continues to seek additional generation resources to provide for Kansas’ electricity needs with clean, renewable energy,” said Bill Moore, Westar Energy chief executive officer. “This is an important step in our support of our renewable energy goals.”
In the request for bids, Westar said it is evaluating up to 200 MW of the generation being online by late 2010 and the remainder online by late 2013.
The request invites firms to submit proposals wherein Westar Energy would own the facility after development and construction. Additionally, bidders may provide other options to Westar including entering into an agreement to sell to Westar the electricity produced at the facility or other options bidders believe would be attractive to Westar and its customers. Westar requires that wind power proposals adhere to the guidelines set forth by the Kansas Energy Council. These guidelines address matters of interest to communities and natural resources near potential wind power sites. Westar is also requiring that all proposals address potential environmental impacts at proposed locations.
Proposals will be due March 30, at which time Westar Energy will begin reviewing the submissions. Westar’s ultimate decision to add more renewable resources will hinge on overall costs, the status of state and federal policy on renewable resources, and regulatory treatment.
“Wind energy is already a valuable component of our generation portfolio,” said Greg Greenwood, vice president, generation construction. “It will take a combination of several types of resources – renewable, peaking and baseload – to meet the future needs of our customers.”
In 2007, Westar Energy solicited bids for renewable energy projects. Following that RFP, Westar launched the state’s largest wind energy program with nearly 300 MW of renewable energy produced by three wind farms.
Westar Energy owns and operates the Central Plains Wind Farm in Wichita County near Leoti. That project is generating electricity and is expected to be fully operational by early March 2009. The company owns half of power generation at Flat Ridge Wind Farm, located near Medicine Lodge in Barber County, and purchases the other half of the power produced through a power purchase agreement. That owned portion of the project is complete while the other half is generating electricity currently and is expected to be fully operational by early March 2009. Westar purchases nearly half of the power produced by the Meridian Way Wind Farm near Concordia in Cloud County through a power purchase agreement. Meridian Way became fully operational in December 2008.
Westar is also currently investing in transmission in areas of Kansas with good wind conditions for additional wind turbines and has plans to invest in additional transmission projects to unlock Kansas’ vast wind power potential.
