WFEC, NextEra sign 700-MW PPA for Oklahoma wind-PV-battery project

Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC) will be the off-taker of all power from what is touted as the US’ largest co-located wind, solar and energy storage complex –- a 700-MW scheme in Oklahoma by NextEra Energy Resources LLC.

On announcing the power purchase agreement (PPA) last week, WFEC said the project will help it diversify its power generation portfolio to include 50% of wind, solar and hydropower capacity.

The complex covered by the PPA will be installed in two phases in Oklahoma’s Garfield, Alfalfa and Major counties. The first part will consist of a 250-MW wind farm called Skeleton Creek Wind, which will be brought online by the end of this year. A photovoltaic (PV) park of 250 MW -- Skeleton Creek Solar – will become operational by end-2023, when a 200-MW four-hour battery storage facility will also be put on stream.

The wind-solar-storage complex will be the first of its kind in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) electric grid region, which encompasses Oklahoma and 13 other states.

“With this combined facility, we can optimize and maximize the amount of low-cost, emissions-free electricity we provide, while helping Western Farmers diversify its power generation portfolio, reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and set a great example for others to follow,” said John Ketchum, president and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources.

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