Kansas utility seeks 200MW renewable energy deal

July 26, 2010

Kansas utility Westar Energy, Inc., is looking to grow its renewable energy portfolio, seeking up to 200 megawatts of clean power.

The firm based in Topeka, KS, is seeking renewable energy developers to enter into one or more power purchase agreements to provide it with emission-free electricity by late 2012.

The deal could see Westar providing the land for a new wind farm at Ironwood, in southwest Kansas, for which the utility obtained development rights earlier this year.

However, it is open to alternative sites, and could instead keep the Ironwood in reserve for a future project.

Bill Moore, Westar Energy chief executive officer, said: “Renewable energy helps us meet our customers’ needs while protecting the environment and plays an important role in our generation portfolio.”

The utility is requesting proposals by September 2, and expects to announces its selection by the end of the year.

It said the decision would hinge on costs and transmission availability.

Portfolio

Westar currently meets about 6% of its 685,000 customers’ peak demand with its 301MW renewable energy portfolio, and aims to meet its Kansas renewable energy standard requirements through its latest request for proposals.

The firm owns and operates the 99MW Central Plains Wind Farm, near Leoti in Wichita County, which became operational in March 2009.

It also owns half of the 100MW Flat Ridge Wind Farm near Medicine Lodge, Barber County, purchasing the other half of the wind farm’s output through a power purchase agreement. Flat Ridge has also been operational since March 2009.

Westar also purchases nearly half of the power from the 201MW Meridian Way Wind Farm, near Concordia in Cloud County, and 6MW of landfill gas-sourced power from the Rolling Meadows Landfill, north of Topeka.