EDP Renewables proposes to install 36 Vestas turbines at the 79MW Arkwright Summit wind project in western New York State with construction slated to get underway in 2016.
The developer has signed a power purchase agreement with global business information and news outfit Bloomberg for 20MW of the energy generated by the Chautauqua County scheme.
Bloomberg global head of sustainable business and finance Curtis Ravenel said: “With this project, we’re projecting to save more than $10m over the life of the 20-year agreement versus traditional utility prices, and demonstrates how business can contribute to the climate challenge while improving the bottom line.”
The project in 2014 also was awarded a contract in a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority competitive renewable portfolio standard solicitation, which resulted in a weighted average price of $22.96/renewable energy certificate.
The applicant proposes to erect 33 2.2MW and three 2MW Vestas V110 turbines with tip heights of 492 feet, according to regulatory filings. The Town of Arkwright is serving as the lead agency reviewing the project under the state environmental quality review act (SEQRA).
EDP has trimmed 11 turbines from an earlier layout that comprised 47 V90 units. The developer is preparing a final environmental impact statement and aims to complete the SEQRA review by the end of the year.
The estimated $140m to $160m project has an approved interconnection agreement with the New York Independent System Operator. Arkwright Summit will interconnect to the grid via a six-mile 34.5kV lead line to a new collector substation and switchyard at an existing National Grid 115kV transmission line in Pomfret.
Construction is expected to start in the third quarter of 2016 with testing and commissioning to be completed in summer 2017.
The Arkwright Summit project qualified for the production tax credit (which expired in 2014) under the safe harbor rule, because it purchased many of the major project components and by demonstrating continuous efforts toward construction, said the proponent. The project stands to receive tax credits worth $23/MWh for the first 10 years of operation.
Image: EDP
