Portland -

Energy Trust program identifies projects totaling 26 megawatts for further study

PORTLAND — Oregon’s energy answer, or at least a part of it, will be blowing in the wind in the near future. Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc., has invited four developers to participate in round two of a proposal review process for the nonprofit organization’s Community Wind program. Energy Trust expects to select two of these projects as finalists for Energy Trust incentive funding in 2006 or 2007.

Earlier this spring an Energy Trust request for proposals received 17 responses for projects totaling 133 megawatts of wind capacity in six Oregon counties. Eleven of the projects, designated Track One, would be constructed during 2006 or 2007. (Six additional projects, designated Track Two, would be built in 2008 and beyond.) To be eligible for Energy Trust incentives, projects must arrange a power purchase agreement with Portland General Electric or Pacific Power. Oregon state energy tax credits may also be available for qualified projects.

The four Track One projects selected to participate in the second round review represent a total of 26 megawatts of capacity. As the next step, Energy Trust is working with developers to solidify the project cost and move toward the final selection and contract negotiation.

China Hollow, in Sherman County, has an estimated capacity of 1.5 megawatts. Mar-Lu Wind Farm, in Gilliam County, has an estimated capacity of 4.5 megawatts. Sherman County Wind Farm, in Sherman County, and Threemile Canyon, in Morrow County, each have an estimated capacity of 10 megawatts. One megawatt of wind capacity is equal to the amount of electricity used by 250 average Oregon homes in a year.

“The quality of all the proposals we received was excellent. The response demonstrates the incredible potential for wind resources for Oregon. Through this process, we have established a strong pipeline of viable projects that can be developed over the next several years,” said Alan Cowan, renewable energy program manager, Energy Trust. “We’re very pleased with the response to the RFP, and believe that virtually all of the proposals have the potential to be built in the coming years.”

According to Cowan, community wind projects are designed to bring the economic benefits of utility-scale turbines to local communities and investors. Community wind projects are generally locally owned and consist of one or a small group of large-scale wind turbines and are typically 10 megawatts and lower in capacity. Energy Trust supports utility-scale wind farm projects through a separate wind energy program.

Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing how Oregonians use energy by promoting energy efficiency and clean renewable energy for Oregon customers of Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas. For more information, visit the Energy Trust website, energytrust.org, or call 1-866-ENTRUST.