Tucson Electric Power to build new wind farm

Tucson Electric Power (TEP) officials said plans for a new $370 million wind farm will enable the company to double its use of renewable energy by 2021.

“This cost-effective system will become TEP’s largest renewable energy resource, accelerating our progress toward our clean energy goals while allowing us to help customers achieve their own sustainability objectives,” David G. Hutchens, TEP president and CEO, said. “We’re capitalizing on a unique opportunity to develop this valuable resource at an attractive cost, helping us maintain affordable service for our customers.”

Once the project is completed, TEP’s renewable energy production is expected to exceed 28 percent of its retail sales, noting the level would more than double the state requirement for 2021 while approaching the 30 percent goal TEP has planned to achieve by 2030.

EDF Renewables North America will develop the system for TEP through a build and transfer agreement and the project was selected through a competitive bid process, qualifying for federal tax credits recouping more than two-thirds of its cost over its first 10 years of operation. The savings that will be passed along to TEP’s customers.

“This new wind farm will complement our many solar arrays, producing some of its strongest output during the morning and evening hours when we have little or no solar production,” Erik Bakken, vice president of System Operations and Environmental, said. “We’re building a balance of solar and wind resources that better matches our customers’ energy use patterns, helping us deliver more clean energy for less money.”