Oregon officials have recommended regulators approve a two-year extension for Iberdrola Renewables’ 404MW Montague wind project.
Energy Department staff also denied two requests for a contested case hearing, including an objection by the US Navy.
Several of the proposed turbines and meteorological towers would be located within military training flight routes, however, staff said the proposed wind farm meets all applicable standards.
The Spanish developer seeks to change the deadline to begin construction from September 2015 to September 2017 and extend the construction completion date from September 2018 to September 2020.
The developer needs more to time to “implement necessary business arrangements” and meet site certificate conditions, Iberdrola said in a regulatory filing.
The project, located on 33,400 acres of private land in Gilliam County, will interconnect to Bonneville Power Administration’s Slatt substation and an existing 500kV transmission line via an overhead 230kV wire.
The Energy Facility Siting Council will vote on the extension request on 4 December.
If approved, it would be the second amendment for the Montague scheme. Regulators granted the original certificate in 2010 and extended the construction deadlines in 2013.
Image: Iberdrola
