A major maker of wind turbines has announced a major order for a wind farm in the Pacific Northwest.
Vestas-American Wind Technology, the Portland, Oregon subsidiary of the Danish wind turbine giant Vestas A/S, has announced in this press release that it has received an order for 22 units of the V80-2.0 MW wind turbine for Puget Sound Energy’s Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility in Ellensburg, Kittitas County in the state of Washington:
The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility is owned by Puget Sound Energy, Washington state’s largest energy utility and a Northwest leader in renewable energy. Wild Horse entered commercial operation in December 2006 with 127 Vestas turbines and a capacity of 229 MW, with the additional turbines now ordered as part of a planned expansion to the wind energy facility. As such, the 22 units of the V80-2.0 MW wind turbine will add an additional 44 MW to the existing 229 MW installed at Wild Horse.
“It is a great pleasure for Vestas to once again partner with Puget Sound Energy and further develop our long-standing working relationship. The V80-2.0 MW turbine has an outstanding track record with thousands of machines in operation across the world. The 22 turbines to be installed at the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility will further demonstrate the reliable track record this turbine holds,” says Jens Søby, President of Vestas Americas A/S. “At the same time, we are delighted to be part of the efforts to further increase the use of wind power in the Pacific Northwest, generating clean energy, local jobs and economic activity.”
In addition to supplying turbines to Wild Horse, Vestas is also the turbine supplier for Puget Sound Energy’s Hopkins Ridge Wind Facility located in Dayton, Columbia County, Washington. Hopkins Ridge entered service in November 2006 with 83 turbines, expanding to 87 turbines this year.
The 22 turbines are set to be completed in the second half of next year.
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) says the U.S. is on track to generate a record amount of wind power this year.