Aug 7 2010
OGE Energy Corp (OG&E) has recently reached an undisputed agreement with its clients and share holders, administrative units of the state, and regulatory authorities to construct and operate a new wind farm in northwestern part of Oklahoma.
This new wind farm called ‘Crossroads’ has received the approval of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to build a 227MW project.
Crossroads wind farm, to come up in Dewey County near Canton, is expected to be built by Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. RES America is planning to install 86 Siemens turbines with a rated capacity of 2.3MW each and connect the generated power to OG&E's new Wind speed power transmission line, located near Oklahoma City. Initially OG&E is planning to generate 198MW renewable energy from the wind farm, and connect it to the grid. During the initial years of power production clients may find 59 to 65 cents increase in their monthly bills, which will eventually start reducing from the beginning of the year 2013 or 2014 and continue to reduce every year till the wind farm continues to operate.
Currently OG&E produces 270MW wind power and is planning to achieve 550MW power capacity this year, with the completion of other projects currently under construction. The completion of Crossroads project will allow the company to generate a total of 750MW of wind power which constitutes nearly 10% of OG&E’s total power production capability which includes coal and natural gas. Currently OG&E provides electric power supply to approximately 779,000 customers living 30,000 square miles of Oklahoma and Western Arkansas.