The $330m project, which will feature 100 units of GE-built 2.5-116 wind turbines, will be supported by a 20-year, extended full service agreement performed by GE.
GE Onshore Wind business president and CEO Pete McCabe said: “Once Willow Springs is complete, GE will have commissioned 1,363MW of wind capacity across six wind farms developed by LCE over four years.”
Compatible with GE’s Digital Wind Farm technology powered by GE’s Predix software, the GE’s 2X platform is claimed to be designed for a variety of US wind conditions. It has varying generator ratings, megawatts and various rotor diameter options.
The project secured construction and term financing from Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) and Rabobank as well as long-term tax equity from BAML and BHE Renewables.
Power generated from the project will be sold to Merrill Lynch Commodities under an agreement.
Lincoln Clean Energy founder and CEO Declan Flanagan said: “We are delighted to build on our successful relationship with GE and are well-positioned to execute on our pipeline of more than 1,000MW of advanced-stage development projects across Texas and the Midwest.”
The Willow Springs wind project will have a capacity to generate approximately 1,000,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually, required to power the equivalent of 90,000 US homes.
In Texas, Lincoln Clean Energy is also constructing the 253MW Amazon wind farm, which has already secured two power purchase agreements with Amazon and Iron Mountain.
Image: A 3D model of GE's 2MW onshore wind turbine. Photo: courtesy of General Electric.
