Westar Energy, Inc. plans to add 369 megawatts of wind energy to its renewable energy resource portfolio. Westar Energy and two wind development companies have reached tentative agreements for Westar to purchase electricity produced by them at Kansas wind farms to be developed. On Nov. 10, Westar filed with the Kansas Corporation Commission for approval of the purchase agreements. The agreements are contingent on final negotiations, respective board approvals and satisfactory regulatory approval.

'With these agreements, Westar furthers its commitment to Kansas wind energy and continues as a national leader among utilities in regard to renewable energy per capita,' Bill Moore, Westar Energy chief executive officer, said. 'We continue to provide our customers with affordable, reliable energy and to be good environmental stewards.'

Westar is entering into a contract to purchase 201 MW of energy from the Post Rock Wind Farm to be developed by Wind Capital Group in Ellsworth and Lincoln counties. The project plans to use General Electric 1.5 MW wind turbines. A contract with Duke Energy Generation Services will be for about 168 MW of wind energy produced at the Ironwood Wind Power Project site in Ford and Hodgeman counties, a development site already owned by Westar, but which Westar made available to developers. The current contract accounts for about one-third of Ironwood's 500 MW potential. The project plans to use Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbines which will be supplied by the recently opened Siemens nacelle facility in Hutchinson.

'It's exciting to see utilities like Westar take advantage of local resources and increase their renewable energy portfolios,' Gov. Mark Parkinson said, 'Thanks to the passage of a state renewable energy standard and a wealth of wind, multiple energy ventures have recognized Kansas's potential and are coming together to maximize our wind industry. Westar is setting an example of how to push forward by partnering with energy companies, like the Siemens plant in Hutchinson, to benefit our economy and our environment.'

Governor-elect Sen. Sam Brownback said, 'Kansas wind is an important resource for our state that will provide clean energy for our residents and businesses and contribute to our economic growth. I applaud Westar Energy's leadership in wind energy.'

The wind projects will be constructed and operated by the wind developers with Westar agreeing to purchase 100 percent of the electricity they generate through long-term agreements. Both projects are scheduled to begin construction in 2011 and be in service by the end of 2012. The first 200 MW of wind resources contemplated in the agreements will satisfy Westar's renewable energy needs through 2015. With the additional 169 MW, Westar will be well on its way to meeting the 15 percent renewable energy requirement that becomes effective in 2016. Westar Energy owns 149 MW of wind generating capacity at its Central Plains and Flat Ridge Wind Farms and has previous power purchase agreements for 146 MW of wind energy.

Westar Energy also purchases about 6 MW of electricity produced using landfill gas through an agreement with Waste Management Inc. from a Topeka landfill.

In 2009, Kansas passed a renewable energy standard that requires investor-owned utilities to commit to renewable energy equal to 10 percent of their average summer peak. The renewable energy standard increases to 15 percent in 2016 and 20 percent in 2020. Under the law, Westar Energy's 10 percent requirement is about 500 MW.

Tags: Inc., Westar Energy