APS Reaches Agreement for New Arizona-Based Wind
Project
Jul 23 - Business Wire
Arizona Public Service Co. has entered into a long-term power purchase
agreement with Perrin Ranch Wind LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy
Resources, for 100 percent of the energy output from a wind farm located
13 miles north of Williams in Coconino County, Ariz. When completed, the
99-megawatt Perrin Ranch Wind Energy Center will be the largest wind
project in Arizona.
"Perrin Ranch is ideally suited for our first Arizona-based wind
project. It is particularly important for northern Arizona and our
company," said APS President and Chief Operating Officer Don Robinson.
"We continue to seek renewable energy projects that provide the best
value for our customers."
The project will contain 62 wind turbine generators situated on rural
grazing land and will provide enough energy for 25,000 homes when
running at full capacity.
The agreement is an important first step. However, several critical
steps remain, including Arizona Corporation Commission approval of the
power purchase agreement and successful siting, permitting and
interconnection of the project to the state's electric grid. If all goes
according to plan, construction would begin in the second half of 2011,
with commercial operation expected in 2012.
The energy will help APS meet the ACC-mandated Renewable Energy
Standard, as well as the Arizona-based wind provision included in the
Company's 2009 regulatory settlement agreement.
"We are thrilled to add APS to our growing list of customers and
appreciate their support of emission-free, renewable energy," said Mitch
Davidson, president and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources. "The Perrin
Ranch Wind Energy Center will be our first wind project in Arizona. This
project will not only create emission-free energy; it will also bring
tremendous economic benefits to the region."
APS, Arizona's largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves
more than 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state's 15 counties. With
headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle
West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).
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