The Oregon Energy Department is recommending approval of Orion Renewable Energy Group’s request to cut the number of turbines by more than half for the 400MW Golden Hills project.
A 2009 site certificate authorizes construction of up to 267 GE sle 1.5MW units, however, the developer proposes to take advantage of improvements in turbine technology and install 125 larger capacity machines.
The Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council is considering a request for amendment. The change would increase the maximum turbine tower height to 90m from 80m and increase the maximum rotor swept area to 126m from 90m.
A five-mile 230kV transmission line would link to the Bonneville Power Administration grid near the existing Klondike system substation. The amended site certificate would eliminate a previously approved 11-mile 500kV line and a second substation.
Orion also seeks to extend construction deadlines by two years, to June 2018 to start work and June 2021 to complete the wind farm.
The state energy department has issued a proposed order approving the amendments. Public comments and requests for a contested case may be submitted by 7 October.
The company said it may build the project in phases depending on the market.
Image: Morgue File
Oregon backs Orion’s Golden plan
400MW wind farm may be built in stages depending on the market
By EBS