Western Wind Energy Wins Key FERC Decision
May 9, 2006
Coquitlam, British Columbia [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Western Wind Energy Corporation announced that the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a definitive decision in Western Wind's favor, allowing Western Wind to access a key transmission line.
"This order gives Western Wind an absolute right to build out its project right on schedule. Its goal was to deliver to the citizens of California, inexpensive, clean and reliable power, and deliver it as the company had expected."
-- Jeff Ciachurski, Western Wind Energy, CEO
The decision enables Western Wind to start work on its 120 megawatts (MW) power sales agreement with Southern California Edison. This agreement enables Western Wind to generate more than US $30 million per year in annual power sales, according to the company.
The FERC ordered the partners of the Sagebrush line, a 46-mile 230-kilovolt line, which runs straight through Western Wind's Windstar I project in Tehachapi, California, to interconnect and provide at least 50 MW, and up to 120 MW of transmission service to Western Wind's operating company in California. The two parties have 28 days to establish rates, terms and conditions.
Western Wind Energy had filed an action under Section 210 & 211 of the Federal Power Act, which allows a power provider to apply to the Commission for an order "requiring a transmission utility to provide interconnection and transmission services to the applicant."
"This order gives Western Wind an absolute right to build out its project right on schedule," said Jeff Ciachurski, CEO of Western Wind Energy. "Its goal was to deliver to the citizens of California, inexpensive, clean and reliable power, and deliver it as the company had expected. In addition, it's a great day for Western Wind's shareholders, who will now be able to enjoy the benefits of constructing a US $192 million state-of-the-art wind energy generating facility capable of delivering over US $600 million of electrical sales over a 20-year period."
Western Wind Energy is in a position to commence equipment procurement as soon as the interconnection agreement is finalized.
In other Western Wind Energy news, the company and Arizona Public Service have agreed to expand the terms of their current 15 MW agreement, to add an additional 25 MW of wind energy production, taking the total to 40 MW. If there is sufficient available capacity in the current transmission system, the agreement would go to 45 MW.
The added power will be generated from Western Wind's Kingman Steel Plant facility. The two companies have not yet agreed on final details on the extra capacity but Western Wind anticipates executing a formal agreement within the next 60 days.
