Western Farmers Electric Cooperative buys wind, solar and storage from NextEra

Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC) entered into a power purchase agreement with NextEra Energy Resources for the largest combined wind, solar and energy storage project in the country.

The combined wind, solar, and energy storage project is in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the electric grid region that includes Oklahoma and 13 other states in the central United States. It is also the largest co-located wind, solar, and energy storage project in the United States.

“At Western Farmers, we are always looking for ways to better serve our customers with reliable, low-cost and environmentally-friendly energy,” Gary Roulet, chief executive officer for WFEC, said. “With the price of wind and solar energy lower than ever, we are now able to pair it with battery storage to make more affordable, renewable energy available to customers for more hours of the day – even when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.”.

The deal acquires 250 megawatts (MW) of Skeleton Creek Wind; 250 MWs of Skeleton Creek Solar; and 200 MWs of Skeleton Creek Storage. The wind purchase will come online in 2019 with the other two slated for 2023.

“Pairing renewable energy with battery storage presents a tremendous advantage for Western Farmers and its customers,” John Ketchum, president and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy Resources, said. “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.”

WFEC’s current portfolio consists of 521 MW of solar generation, 955 MW of wind generation, and 270 MW of hydroelectric generation.