Harvest Wind
We've got wind and it's in your future. PenLight has entered into a joint power generating ownership with the Harvest Wind Project located in Klickitat County. PenLight is part of a consortium of four Northwest public utilities concerned about clean, environmentally safe, renewable power. PenLight can use this new source of renewable energy as a way to meet our state obligations under Initiative 937.
Located near Bickleton, WA along the Columbia River, Harvest Wind is the third phase of the existing 205 Megawatt White Creek Wind Project, which went online in 2007. PenLight has partnered with Lakeview Power and Light, Eugene Water and Electric Board and Cowlitz PUD to construct this 98 Megawatt, $250 million dollar portion of the project.
According to Jafar Taghavi, CEO of PenLight, "This is the first time in our 84-year history that we are going to be in the power production business." He added, "This is the defining moment for us to set the course in meeting our future power mandates." Taghavi is referring to the requirements of Initiative 937 that was passed in 2007 requiring utilities with over 25,000 consumers to have 15 percent of their power portfolio consist of green power by 2020.
The Siemens 2.3MW wind turbines have been ordered and are expected to be delivered to the site in mid summer. Site construction has begun with road widening to accommodate the transportation of the towers, blades and turbines. Project completion is scheduled for December 2009.
The Bonneville Power Administration strongly supports Northwest wind power development.