Wind farm planned near Flagstaff

Wind farm planned near Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Oct 15 (The Associated Press)

A California developer plans to put up 40 giant wind turbines east of Flagstaff capable of producing 60 megawatts of electricity.

Construction on Foresight Wind Energy's wind farm is set to begin next summer on land along Interstate 40. It's scheduled to be completed in December 2005.

The wind farm won't generate power 24 hours a day, but will be able to provide power about 70 percent of the time, said Warren Byrne, managing director of Foresight Wind Energy.

Arizona Public Service Co., a utility company serving the Phoenix area, was approached about buying power from the wind farm and would be interested, said Peter Johnston, manager for technology development at APS.

However, APS's ability to enter into a contract hinges on the outcome of an Arizona Corporation Commission review of rules dealing with utilities' use of renewable energy sources.

There are currently no commercial wind farms in Arizona.

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