A wind energy operator in Grant and Garfield County recently celebrated the production of 1 gigawatt of wind capacity in the state.
Enel Green Power North America, Inc., EGP-NA, began Oklahoma operations in 2012 with the MW Rocky Ridge wind farm. Today, the company is the second largest owner and operator of wind energy in Oklahoma, according to a release.
The end of 2016 will mark the completion of EGP-NA’s seventh and eighth wind projects, one of which is the Chisholm View II Wind Project in Grant County. The two projects help EGP-NA produce more than 1 GW of wind capacity in the state — enough energy to power about 400,000 homes.
“The achievement of 1 gigawatt of wind capacity in Oklahoma is attributable to the thousands of EGP-NA employees and contractors, Oklahoma community leaders, landowners and residents that worked on constructing and supporting our eight wind projects in the state,” Rafael Gonzalez, EGP-NA’s chief executive officer, said in a written statement. “Oklahoma has been a great home to EGP-NA, and we will continue to return the favor through ongoing community support and development. We appreciate our partnership with the great citizens of Oklahoma.”
The achievement represents about a $2 billion investment in the state, along with the creation of 1,600 construction jobs and 80 full-time positions.
Gov. Mary Fallin said Oklahoma ranks as one of the top states with which to do business in the industry.
“Oklahoma now ranks fourth in the nation for wind capacity, thanks in part, to EGP-NA’s $2 billion investment in Oklahoma’s energy economy,” she said.
Gonzalez said the company recognizes it is a long-term member of the communities where EGP-NA operates, meaning the company should address needs in the community.
“From education to technology, we have a unique opportunity to work hand-in-hand with local schools, community groups and research institutions to create sustained value for all of the regions where we operate,” Gonzalez said.
The company operates two wind projects in Northwest Oklahoma — Chisholm View Wind Project and the Chisholm View II Wind Project. Both projects operate in Garfield and Grant counties. The Chisholm View project began operations in 2012 and has a total installed capacity of 235.2 megawatts. The second project bis expected to being operations by the end of 2016 and has a total installed capacity of 65 mega watts. Construction on the project began in July 2016.
The Chisholm View projects have a combined capacity of 300 megawatts, making the project the largest of EGP-NA’s wind farms in Oklahoma and second largest in the U.S., according to a release.
EGP-NA also operates in Kiowa, Washita, Carter, Garvin, Murray, Osage, Texas and Grandy counties.
STORY PROVIDED BY: ENID NEWS & EAGLE
WRITTEN BY: EMILY SUMMARS
