FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Platte River Power Authority is seeking proposals for up to 30 Megawatts (MW) of new wind-powered generation capacity that can be in commercial operation on or before Dec. 31. 2009.
Proposals are being sought for new wind turbines to be located at Platte River's Medicine Bow Wind Project site or at the Rawhide Energy Station. Proposals from other sites will also be considered.
Platte River has operated its Medicine Bow Wind Project near the town of Medicine Bow, Wyoming, since 1998. The site consists of ten turbines with a combined maximum output of about 8.3 MW. No wind generation facilities are currently located at Rawhide.
"The process of seeking proposals it he first step in Platte River's plan to expand our renewable generation resources," said John Bleem, division manager, customer and environmental services at Platte River.
Platte River will deliver about 130 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of wind energy to its owner municipalities in 2007. Platte River's Renewable Energy Supply Policy anticipates a need for about 233 million kWh of new renewable energy per year by 2016 (enough energy for over 27,000 homes, based on an average use of 8,500 kWh per year, per home). Over 500 million kWh per year is estimated to come from new renewable sources by 2026.
Approximately 20 percent of Platte River’s current electricity supply comes from renewables; wind power and hydropower.
Platte River Power Authority generates and provides reliable, low-cost and environmentally responsible electricity to its owner communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland for delivery to their utility customers. Platte River's facilities are located along the Front Range, northwestern Colorado and near Medicine Bow, Wyoming.