Duke Energy Renewables announces largest wind power project in its fleet

Duke Energy Renewables, a commercial business unit of Duke Energy, announced Wednesday the 350-megawatt (MW) Frontier Windpower II project in Kay County, Okla., which will be the largest wind project in its fleet.

The project is an expansion of Frontier Windpower, which has been operating since 2016. Once complete, Frontier I and II will produce a total of 550 MW of wind energy.

Ball Corporation signed a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) for 161 MW of the Frontier II project. Another major corporation has signed a VPPA for an additional 160 MW which will be announced later this year.

“Frontier II will deliver clean energy for Oklahoma and significant economic benefits to the area,” Rob Caldwell, president of Duke Energy Renewables, said. “We’re pleased to be working with the Ball Corporation on the Frontier II project, which will be located in an area that has some of the best wind resources in the country.”

Full mobilization for construction for Frontier II will occur later this summer, and during peak construction, the project will create approximately 250 jobs.

Amshore US Wind provided development support for the project, and Wanzek Construction is the contractor. Nordex Group will supply 74 4.8-MW wind turbines for the project.

Frontier Windpower II is expected to be fully operational by December 2020.