NextEra, Westar break ground on 200-MW Kansas wind farm

An event this week marked the start of construction of the 200-MW Kingman Wind Energy Center in Kansas.

Utility Westar Energy (NYSE:WR) will purchase electricity from the wind farm, which is expected to be up and running by the end of 2016. NextEra Energy Resources is developing the project and will operate the park.

Westar will supply about 50% of Kingman's output to its wholesale partners Midwest Energy and the cities of McPherson, Chanute, Iola, Fredonia, and Sabetha under energy management service agreements, while the remaining electricity will go to retail customers.

According to a press release, the wind farm will take the utility's commitment to renewable energy to about 1,750 MW, which can cover about a third of its retail customers' electricity. The 200-MW scheme is expected to generate enough power for about 50,000 Kansas homes.

At the end of last month, Kingman County signed agreements with NextEra, paving the way for construction to begin.

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