WYOMING WIND PROJECT BEGINS POWERING
PACIFIC NORTHWEST

41.4-MW, 69-Turbine Wind Plant at Foote Creek Rim Is
Largest in Northwestern U.S.

W A S H I N G T O N,  D. C. May 14, 1999 -- The business partners in the 41.4-megawatt (MW) Wyoming Wind Energy Project have signed final documents clearing the way for the plant to go into full commercial operation, delivering clean electric power to the Pacific Northwest.

The wind plant is located at Foote Creek Rim near Arlington, Wyo., one of the best wind sites in the U.S. When the plant is running at full power, it can generate enough electricity to meet the needs of 15,000 to 25,000 homes.

PacifiCorp, an investor-owned utility based in Portland, Ore., owns approximately 80% of the $62 million project and the Eugene (Ore.) Water and Electric Board (EWEB), a municipal utility, owns the rest. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a federal power marketing
agency, will buy 15 MW, or nearly 40% of the plant's output. The plant was built by SeaWest and Tomen Power Corp., both of San Diego, Calif.

The project consists of 69 600-kilowatt (kW) turbines built by Mitsubishi. While it occupies a total area of 2,156 acres, only 1% of the land will be used for the wind plant, while the balance will remain free for ranching use.

Keith McKennon, PacifiCorp CEO, commented, "The Wyoming Wind Energy Project offers an important boost to renewable energy in the nation. As one of the nation's lowest-cost energy providers, PacifiCorp is committed to providing economical power while using new technologies
that have environmental benefits and meet our customers needs."

"This wind project is the largest in the northwestern U.S.," said Tom Gray, director of communication for the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), "and it is a major milestone on the road to tapping the region's wind resources in a significant way. Wyoming and Montana each have the potential to generate hundreds of billions of kilowatt-hours annually from the wind, and to create tens of thousands of jobs in the process."

SeaWest will maintain and operate the facility under an initial 10-year operation and maintenance agreement with PacifiCorp and EWEB. After that, the owners may extend the contract with SeaWest or make other arrangements.

Dedication ceremonies for the project are tentatively planned for July 16, 1999.

With annual average winds of approximately 25 mph on the Foote Creek Rim, the site has higher sustained winds than most other projects, where winds typically average 15-20 mph. Higher winds have the potential to generate more electricity.

The temperature range is also more extreme than most wind project sites, since Wyoming winter temperatures can drop to 30 below zero. The equipment is adapted for cold weather conditions, and scientists and energy experts will study these conditions to determine the impacts on technology and energy production.

Project partners recently won the first-ever Clean Energy Award from Renewable Northwest Project, a renewable energy advocacy group based in Portland, Ore. Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden (D) saluted the winners in the Congressional Record: “Their commitment marks the dawn of a new industry for the Northwest, and a substantial contribution to a sustainable future for us and our children.”

Wind Facilities in the Northwest (5/14/99)

EXISTING WIND FARMS

PLANNED WIND FARMS

For more information on these and other wind energy projects in the U.S., visit the American Wind Energy Association Web site at: http://www.awea.org

American Wind Energy Association · P.O. Box 75428 · Washington, DC 20001

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