$200m transmission line opens up Oklahoma wind potential

April 7, 2010

Energy company OG&E has energized a new $200 million transmission line it says will open up a “vital pathway” for wind power generators in northwestern Oklahoma.

The 345-kilovolt “Windspeed” transmission line runs for 121 miles from Woodward to Oklahoma City.

It connects in to OG&E’s new high-voltage substation near Woodward where it links in with the existing grid.

Oklahoma Gas & Electric, a subsidiary of NYSE-listed OGE Energy Corp, said its new substation at Woodward would serve as a “renewable energy hub” as more and more wind farms are developed in the area.

“This is an important milestone in the ongoing development of renewable energy in our state,” said Pete Delaney, OGE Energy Corp. chairman, president and CEO.

“The new line supports a more robust build out of Oklahoma’s wind potential; producing revenue for landowners, creating jobs, increasing tax revenues in northwestern Oklahoma, and delivering renewable energy to Oklahoma consumers.”

The Windspeed transmission project was originally approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission back in 2008.

Steel structures for the transmission project were provided by Valmont Industries, based in Omaha, Nebraska.

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http://www.class4winds.org/blog/?p=365 $400m Wind Farm to Cut Electricity Bills in Oklahoma | Class4Winds | Amarillo, Texas
[...] The turbines proposed for the Crossroads projects would each be rated at 2.3MW output, and would connect up to OG&E’s new Windspeed transmission line that was energized at the end of last month (see this BrighterEnergy.org story). [...]