BP Breaks Ground On Wind Project in Kansas
Release date:
24 June 2008
Medicine Lodge, KS, June 24, 2008 – BP Alternative Energy today welcomed members of the local community at a groundbreaking ceremony for phase one of the Flat Ridge Wind Farm in Kansas. Phase one of the project will have a capacity of generating 100 megawatts (MW) of carbon-free electricity and is expected to be commercially operational by year end.
Located some 60 miles southwest of Wichita, Flat Ridge I will utilize 40 Clipper 2.5 MW C-96 wind turbine generators, the largest wind turbines built by a U.S. manufacturer. Construction on the 5,000 acre site will employ approximately 125 workers during the construction period and a full-time staff of more than five workers who will monitor and maintain the site after phase one has become operational.
Located some 60 miles southwest of Wichita, Flat Ridge I will utilize 40 Clipper 2.5 MW C-96 wind turbine generators, the largest wind turbines built by a U.S. manufacturer. Construction on the 5,000 acre site will employ approximately 125 workers during the construction period and a full-time staff of more than five workers who will monitor and maintain the site after phase one has become operational.
Bob Malone, chairman and president of BP America said: “Kansas has a long tradition of providing energy to America, and BP is proud to have been a part of that tradition for over 50 years. We look forward to building on that history with this wind power project, part of BP’s growing portfolio of carbon-free energy projects here in the United States.”
“Barber County is blessed with an abundance of wind that is ideal for generating clean, renewable energy," said Bill Moore, Westar Energy president and chief executive officer. "The energy produced at Flat Ridge will benefit our customers, Kansas and the region. We’re building strong partnerships with counties and developers to better our energy future, and we look forward to being a good neighbor to the folks in Barber County.”
“Barber County is blessed with an abundance of wind that is ideal for generating clean, renewable energy," said Bill Moore, Westar Energy president and chief executive officer. "The energy produced at Flat Ridge will benefit our customers, Kansas and the region. We’re building strong partnerships with counties and developers to better our energy future, and we look forward to being a good neighbor to the folks in Barber County.”
When in full operation, Westar Energy, Inc. will own 50 percent of phase one of the wind farm and will purchase from BP 50 MW of the physical power generated under a long-term power purchase agreement. BP will operate the full 100 MW. The Flat Ridge development is expected to be built in multiple phases.
By the end of 2008, BP Alternative Energy North America Inc. expects to generate over 1,000 MW of zero-carbon electricity from its wind projects.
Note to Editors:
• Electronic photos of the Clipper 2.5 MW wind turbine are available upon request.
• Other BP wind projects in the U.S.
In operation:
Cedar Creek: In January 2008, Babcock & Brown and BP announced full commercial operation of the Cedar Creek wind farm in Weld County, Colorado. The 300.5 MW wind-power facility utilizes 274 wind turbines and was delivered on time, on budget and without a single lost time incident during its construction. Power from the project will be sold under a long-term contract to the Public Service Company of Colorado, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc.
By the end of 2008, BP Alternative Energy North America Inc. expects to generate over 1,000 MW of zero-carbon electricity from its wind projects.
Note to Editors:
• Electronic photos of the Clipper 2.5 MW wind turbine are available upon request.
• Other BP wind projects in the U.S.
In operation:
Cedar Creek: In January 2008, Babcock & Brown and BP announced full commercial operation of the Cedar Creek wind farm in Weld County, Colorado. The 300.5 MW wind-power facility utilizes 274 wind turbines and was delivered on time, on budget and without a single lost time incident during its construction. Power from the project will be sold under a long-term contract to the Public Service Company of Colorado, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc.
Under construction:
Silver Star I wind farm is located 80 miles southwest of the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area. The 60 MW project is owned 85% by BP Alternative Energy and 15% by Clipper Windpower. Silver Star I will utilize 24 Clipper 2.5 MW wind turbine generators and is expected to be commercially operational in the second half of 2008.
Sherbino I wind farm is located 40 miles east of Fort Stockton in Pecos County, Texas and is a joint venture between BP and NRG Energy. Phase one of the wind farm will be a 150 MW project and will utilize 50 Vestas V-90 3 MW turbines. Commercial operation of phase one is expected to come on line in the second half of 2008.
Edom Hills wind project in California is the re-powering of an existing 11 MW wind energy facility in the San Gorgonio Pass which will see 139 windmatics replaced with 8 Clipper Liberty 2.5 MW turbines increasing the power to 20 MW. There is an existing power purchase agreement with Southern California Edison.
Fowler Ridge I wind farm is located some 90 miles northwest of Indianapolis in Benton County, Indiana. The 750 MW project will be built in multiple phases. The first phase will utilize 222 wind turbines – 182 Vestas V-82 1.65 MW turbines and 40 Clipper C-96 2.5 MW turbines – producing 400 MW of clean energy and is expected to be operational by the end of 2008. BP and Dominion are partners for 650 MW of the 750 MW site, with BP retaining sole ownership of 100 MW.
Silver Star I wind farm is located 80 miles southwest of the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area. The 60 MW project is owned 85% by BP Alternative Energy and 15% by Clipper Windpower. Silver Star I will utilize 24 Clipper 2.5 MW wind turbine generators and is expected to be commercially operational in the second half of 2008.
Sherbino I wind farm is located 40 miles east of Fort Stockton in Pecos County, Texas and is a joint venture between BP and NRG Energy. Phase one of the wind farm will be a 150 MW project and will utilize 50 Vestas V-90 3 MW turbines. Commercial operation of phase one is expected to come on line in the second half of 2008.
Edom Hills wind project in California is the re-powering of an existing 11 MW wind energy facility in the San Gorgonio Pass which will see 139 windmatics replaced with 8 Clipper Liberty 2.5 MW turbines increasing the power to 20 MW. There is an existing power purchase agreement with Southern California Edison.
Fowler Ridge I wind farm is located some 90 miles northwest of Indianapolis in Benton County, Indiana. The 750 MW project will be built in multiple phases. The first phase will utilize 222 wind turbines – 182 Vestas V-82 1.65 MW turbines and 40 Clipper C-96 2.5 MW turbines – producing 400 MW of clean energy and is expected to be operational by the end of 2008. BP and Dominion are partners for 650 MW of the 750 MW site, with BP retaining sole ownership of 100 MW.
Media Inquiries:
BP Press Office: 281 366 1236
Westar Energy: Erin La Row
Office: 316 299 7429/Cell 316 573 6471
About BP America/BP Alternative Energy
BP America is the largest producer of oil and gas in the United States and one of the nation’s largest energy investors. BP Alternative Energy, launched in November 2005, combines all of BP’s interests in low and zero-carbon power generation: wind, solar, hydrogen power with carbon capture and storage, natural gas-fired power generation. Biofuels for low carbon transport and distributed energy for emerging markets. BP Alternative Energy is one of the leading wind developers in the U.S. and has portfolios in Europe, Asia and Latin America. BP’s U.S. wind portfolio includes the opportunity to develop almost 100 projects with a potential total generating capacity of 15,000 MW.
BP Press Office: 281 366 1236
Westar Energy: Erin La Row
Office: 316 299 7429/Cell 316 573 6471
About BP America/BP Alternative Energy
BP America is the largest producer of oil and gas in the United States and one of the nation’s largest energy investors. BP Alternative Energy, launched in November 2005, combines all of BP’s interests in low and zero-carbon power generation: wind, solar, hydrogen power with carbon capture and storage, natural gas-fired power generation. Biofuels for low carbon transport and distributed energy for emerging markets. BP Alternative Energy is one of the leading wind developers in the U.S. and has portfolios in Europe, Asia and Latin America. BP’s U.S. wind portfolio includes the opportunity to develop almost 100 projects with a potential total generating capacity of 15,000 MW.
About Westar Energy, Inc.
Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) is the largest utility in Kansas providing electric service to about 675,000 customers in the state. Westar Energy has about 6,200 megawatts of electric generation capacity and operates and coordinates approximately 33,000 miles of electric distribution and transmission lines.
For more information about Westar Energy, visit us at: www.WestarEnergy.com
Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) is the largest utility in Kansas providing electric service to about 675,000 customers in the state. Westar Energy has about 6,200 megawatts of electric generation capacity and operates and coordinates approximately 33,000 miles of electric distribution and transmission lines.
For more information about Westar Energy, visit us at: www.WestarEnergy.com
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