Westar Energy, Inc. (Westar Energy) and BP Wind Energy (BP Wind), a subsidiary of BP Alternative Energy, will inaugurate the 100 megawatt (MW) Flat Ridge I Wind Farm on March 5, 2009. The wind farm is located at 7329A NE Ridge Road, Nashville, Kansas 67112, located about 60 miles southwest of Wichita, and is developed by BP Wind. Westar Energy owns half of the energy generation and will purchase, under a purchase agreement, the energy from the remaining generation.
Flat Ridge I uses 40 2.5 MW C-96 wind turbine generators of Clipper Windpower Plc.
Westar is currently also investing in two other wind farms: Meridian Way Wind Farm in Cloud county south of Concordia and Central Plains Wind Farm in Wichita county east of Leoti. Westar purchases power under purchase agreement energy produced at Meridian Way and owns the Central Plains site.
Westar announced in March 2009 that it is seeking proposals that could add up to 500 MW of renewable energy to its generation mix.
“Westar ranks among the top 10 utilities in the nation for wind power per customer.
We’ve asked for proposals for an additional 500 MW of renewable resources, and if we get proposals that make sense for our customers and investors, we would rank in the top five. Westar is committed to renewable power and Kansas resources,” said Bill Moore, Westar Energy president and chief executive officer.
John Graham, president BP Wind, said: “We are very pleased to have partnered with Westar Energy, our landowners and the people of Barber County on the successful development of the Flat Ridge I wind farm. This is our first wind project in the state of Kansas and marks an important milestone in bringing rural communities a fresh revenue stream without impact to traditional farming and grazing practices.”