Chicago, Illinois-based renewable energy company Invenergy has placed an order with GE Renewable Energy to supply 800 of its 2.5MW turbines for its upcoming 2GW wind farm to be developed in the US.

When completed, the wind farm named as Wind Catcher Energy Connection will be the largest in the US and the second largest in the world, claims Invenergy. The wind farm is expected to generate enough clean electricity to be supplied to more than 1.1 million customers in the US.

 Presently, American Electric Power (AEP) is mulling to acquire the wind farm from Invenergy, once its completed and is in talks with utility regulators in the states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma to approve plans to purchase the wind farm.

The Wind Catcher Energy Connection project is expected to in savings of over $7bn for AEP customers over a period of 25 years. AEP expects that the wind farm could generate about 4000 directs and 4000 indirect jobs annually during construction phase and 80 permanent jobs, once it is operational. 

The wind farm can also generate about $300m in property taxes over the lifetime of the project.

The 2.5 megawatt GE turbines that will power the project are GE’s latest model, designed to enhance siting efficiency, reliability and allow for higher energy production.  

Invenergy’s founder and CEO Michael Polsky said “Wind Catcher shows American leadership in bringing low-cost clean energy to market at giga scale.

“This project reflects Invenergy’s innovative spirit and unparalleled execution ability, and we are proud to be working with forwardlooking utilities like PSO and SWEPCO whose customers and communities will benefit from this project for decades to come.”

GE Onshore Wind business President and CEO Pete McCabe said: “GE is delighted to be a part of the groundbreaking Wind Catcher project with Invenergy and American Electric Power.

“We look forward to putting our teams to work in these communities as we continue to move toward our goal of ensuring that no one has to choose between sustainable, reliable and affordable energy.”

Image: GE to supply 800 wind turbines for Invenergy’s 2GW Wind Catcher wind farm. Photo: Courtesy of GE Renewable Energy.