New Wind Farm Serves Western Co-ops

More wind energy is being added to the mix for the 44 electric cooperatives served by Tri-State G&T.

The turbines are spinning at the newest wind farm to provide power to Tri-State G&T. (Photo By: Tri-State G&T)

Over the next 20 years, Westminster, Colo.-based Tri-State will buy electricity from the just-completed Colorado Highlands Wind project. Brad Nebergall, Tri-State senior vice president, called it a “great opportunity.”

“It increases the amount of renewable resources in our energy mix and further diversifies our overall generation portfolio, while also assisting our members to meet their obligations under state renewable portfolio standards,” Nebergall said.

An added bonus: The 67-megawatt wind farm is served by Holyoke-based Highline Electric Association, a Tri-State member co-op. Mark Farnsworth, Highline’s general manager, was particularly grateful for “the economic development opportunities that the project provides in this part of the state.”

This is the third utility-scale renewable energy facility from which Tri-State receives all of the electrical output and renewable energy credits—a fact that hasn’t been overlooked by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper.

“Our state has long been a global leader in the area of wind, solar and other sources of renewable energy,” Hickenlooper said. “This is because we have the fortune of attracting leaders such as Tri-State who work to increase the amount of renewable resources in our energy mix.”

To sign up for the latest Power Supply news alerts, click here.

Tags: G&T, Renewable Energy