Planned wind farm to be largest in US at 2GW

Work has started on a 2GW wind farm, which is expected to be the largest in the US once it is completed. Renewable energy companies Invenergy and GE Renewable Energy are developing the Wind […]

Work has started on a 2GW wind farm, which is expected to be the largest in the US once it is completed.

Renewable energy companies Invenergy and GE Renewable Energy are developing the Wind Catcher wind farm in Oklahoma.

It will include 800 GE turbines to generate clean power for more than 1.1 million customers across Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma.

It forms part of the $4.5 billion (£3.4bn) Wind Catcher Energy Connection project, which also includes a planned 350-mile long high voltage power line to be developed by American Electric Power’s (AEP) subsidiaries – Utilities Public Service of Oklahoma (PSO) and Southwestern Electric Power (SWEPCO).

These firms are currently seeking approval from regulators to build the necessary transmission links and they also plan to purchase the wind farm upon its completion.

The entire project is expected to save energy users more than $7 billion (£5.3bn) over a 25-year period.

It is also forecast to support approximately 4,000 direct and 4,400 indirect jobs during each year of its construction and 80 permanent jobs once it goes fully operational.

Pete McCabe, President and CEO of GE Onshore Wind, 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.”

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