Textron Aviation inks 55-MW wind PPA in Kansas

US aircraft manufacturer Textron Aviation Inc has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with electric utility Evergy Inc (NYSE:EVRG), securing 55 MW of wind for its facilities in Kansas.

The capacity will be provided by the 300-MW Soldier Creek wind farm, which is currently under construction in Nemaha County, Kansas, Textron Aviation said. The plant is slated to come online by the end of 2020.

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The agreement with Evergy will allow the manufacturer to meet almost all of its power needs at facilities in Wichita and Independence.

After the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) passed the Direct Renewable Participation Service (DRPS) tariff in July 2018, large commercial and industrial customers have been able to procure wind power at lower rates compared to the utility’s current offerings.

For Textron Aviation, the DRPS tariff lowers fuel factor cost to USD 0.018 (EUR 0.016) per kWh from USD 0.023/kWh, the company said.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.881)