The Power Company of Wyoming (PCW) plans to start roadwork this summer for the two-phase 3GW Chokecherry Sierra Madre wind farm in the southern part of the state.
The Wyoming Industrial Siting Division is considering PCW’s request to change the construction start date of the 500-turbine first phase. The company initially anticipated breaking ground in 2014.
The developer proposes to kick off in August with work on a haul road that will link up to a new 14-mile rail spur to a Union Pacific Railroad mainline. PCW plans to transport turbines and components by rail directly to the site.
The proponent expects to build access roads and support facilities in 2017, start turbine construction in 2018 and wrap up in 2020. Work is slated to start in 2021 on the 500-turbine second phase.
PCW expects about 945 workers will be on site during the peak of construction in summer 2019. Once it goes online, the Chokecherry Sierra Madre wind farm will employ about 114 operations and maintenance staff.
The full $5bn, 1000-turbine project covers a mix of private and public land in Carbon County, including federal land administered by the US Bureau of Land Management. The 220,000-acre site is part of a ranch operated by an affiliate company.
The BLM issued an environmental assessment in March for the first phase. The agency is expected to grant a right-of-way permit in the next few months.
PCW also has applied to the US Fish and Wildlife Service for an eagle take permit. In addition, the developer is negotiating a road use agreement with the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
The project will export electricity about 800 miles to the Desert Southwest market composed of California, Arizona and Nevada.
PCW is owned by the Anschutz Corporation, a Denver-based privately held company.
Image: Morgue File
