Electric Cooperatives Of Arkansas Inks Wind Energy Deal
by July 19, 2013 10:52 am 96 views
The Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC) has reached a long-term agreement to purchase 150 megawatts of wind energy from RES America Developments Inc., a subsidiary of Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Americas).
“The additional 150 megawatts of low-cost wind energy provides AECC with a hedge against fluctuating natural gas energy prices,” said Duane Highley, president and CEO of AECC, a Little Rock-based wholesale electricity supplier. “AECC will have 201 megawatts of wind energy in its generation assets with this addition. We will continue to pursue energy options that allow AECC’s member cooperatives to provide reliable electricity at the lowest possible cost.”
The wind power will be sourced from the Origin Wind Energy project, which is located in Murray and Carter Counties in southeast Oklahoma. RES Americas developed and will construct the 75-turbine project that is scheduled to begin commercial operation by Dec. 31, 2014. AECC will be the sole recipient of the electricity generated.
Early last year, AECC signed a long-term power purchase agreement for 51 MW from the Flat Ridge 2 South Wind Farm in Kansas.
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives throughout the state.