BP Wind Energy and Sempra Generation announced last week the start of commercial operation of the second phase of the Fowler Ridge wind farm in Benton County, Indiana, USA. Fowler Ridge is the largest wind farm in the Midwest. The second phase is located some 90 miles northwest of Indianapolis, having a total of 200 MW of installed capacity. This phase features 133 GE 1.5 MW units. Some 400 workers were temporarily employed during the construction of the wind turbines. Generated power from these turbines is enough to power about 60,000 average households with clean electricity. Construction of the second phase of Fowler Ridge started in mid-July, while Sempra added an additional investment boost in September.

The project is the first wind energy collaboration between BP Wind Energy and Sempra Generation, and both companies are viewing it as a very positive indication for further collaboration in this area of the energy industry.

Fowler Ridge phase 2 generated power has already been sold through PPAs, three of them with 50 MW each. The PPAs have been signed with the operating units of American Electric Power and one contract with Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana.

[source: Sempra Generation, image: vax-o-matic]