Invenergy starts Colorado wind farm

Invenergy has flipped the switch on its 32.5 MW Spring Canyon II Energy Center. Located near the Town of Peetz, Colo., approximately 130 miles northeast of Fort Collins, Spring Canyon II utilizes 19 GE 1.7-100 wind turbines.

Output from Spring Canyon II is sold to Platte River Power Authority under a long-term agreement. In addition, Platte River will purchase 27.5 MW of wind power to be generated at the Spring Canyon III Energy Center, which currently is under construction. Spring Canyon III will utilize 16 GE wind turbines and is scheduled to begin commercial operations by the end of this year.

“The purchase of additional wind energy from Spring Canyon II and III supports Platte River’s strategic initiative to further diversify our generation portfolio,” states Jackie Sargent, Platte River’s general manager and CEO.

“Together, the two projects will increase our wind energy supply to about 11 percent of the power consumed annually in our four owner municipalities,” adds Sargent. “Including hydropower, the total portion of energy supplied to the municipalities from non-fossil resources will be approximately 30 percent.”

Together, the Spring Canyon II and III projects will comprise the Spring Canyon Expansion Wind Energy Center, which is sited near Invenergy’s original Spring Canyon Energy facility, a 60 MW wind farm in operation since 2006.

“Invenergy is pleased to continue to invest in Colorado with our newest power generation project in the state,” says Jim Shield, Invenergy’s chief development officer. “We’re delighted to work with Platte River to create a new source of clean, homegrown energy that also generates jobs and tax revenue in the local area and greatly appreciate the broad support for the project in our host community.”

Construction on Spring Canyon II began late last year. Wanzek Construction served as the general contractor, and ECI performed engineering services.