Flurry of activity by PPM towards 2300 MW wind goal

A recent flurry of activity is nudging PPM Energy down the path toward its goal of 2300 MW of wind energy by 2010. In October the Oregon-based power provider agreed to acquire 200 MW of wind turbines from GE Energy for projects expected to be built during 2007. The order is in addition to a previously announced 300 MW purchase of GE turbines for 2006 delivery. The company also dedicated its 75 MW Klondike II plant of GE turbines, completed ahead of schedule in Wasco Oregon and set to deliver power to Portland General Electric under a 30 year power purchase agreement; announced the start of construction of its 200 MW Big Horn plant near Bickelton, Washington, expected to be completed by summer 2006; and sold all the power from its 150 MW Shiloh Wind Project in Solano County, California, prior to completion of construction. The latest purchaser of power from Shiloh, the City of Palo Alto Utilities, signed a 15-year agreement for a 25 MW share of the development, in addition to a 24-year agreement for 20 MW from the nearby High Winds Project. "The deals demonstrate PPM's ability to tailor products to various types of customers," says the company's Barrett Stambler. "It also shows that wind power is an attractive hedge to volatile fossil fuel prices." PPM now has roughly 1600 MW of wind energy under its control, either through facility ownership or purchased output. The company expects three other wind projects to become operational this year, including the 100 MW Trimont project in Minnesota, the 150 MW Elk River project in Kansas and the 198 MW Maple Ridge project in New York, which is a joint venture with Horizon Wind Energy.