Enel Green Power North America has started operating a 50 MW expansion of the High Lonesome wind farm in Upton and Crockett Counties, Texas, raising the group’s largest operational wind project to 500 MW in its global renewable portfolio.
The company also had its 105 MW Riverview and 29.4 MW Castle Rock Ridge II wind farms in Alberta, Canada connected to the grid.
“The commissioning of these three new wind farms is further evidence that Enel remains committed to growing its renewable portfolio worldwide. This commitment has also been underscored by the completion of over 400 MW of renewable plants worldwide in the first quarter of the year, allowing renewables to greatly exceed conventional generation in our portfolio both in terms of capacity and production. While prioritizing health and safety, looking ahead we will continue generating new sustainable value through our emission-free energy across the globe, in accordance with the group’s strategic plan.“
Antonio Cammisecra, CEO of Enel Green Power.
The investment in the construction of the 500 MW High Lonesome wind farm in Texas amounts to approximately $720 million. The cumulative investment for Castle Rock Ridge II and Riverview amounts to over CAD 210 million.
The 500 MW High Lonesome facility is projected to produce about 1.9 TWh annually while reducing more than 1.2 million tons of CO2 emissions.
The project was expanded by the 50 MW that had just been connected to the grid thanks to a 12-year Renewable Energy Purchase Agreement (PPA) announced in December 2019 with the food and beverage company Danone North America, a Public Benefit Corporation and the world’s largest certified B Corporation for the physical supply of renewable electricity associated with a 20.6 MW portion of the 50 MW High Lonesome expansion.
The agreement between Enel and Danone North America will provide sufficient electricity to produce nearly 800 million cups of yogurt and more than 80 million gallons of milk each year, and will support the commitment of the food and beverage company to secure 100 percent of its electricity purchased from renewable sources by 2030.
In Texas, Enel currently operates the 63 MW Snyder wind farm in Scurry County and the first 252 MW phase of the Roadrunner solar plant in Upton County. The second 245 MW phase of the Roadrunner solar plant is currently under construction and, once completed, Roadrunner will be one of the largest solar plants in the state.
The Castle Rock Ridge II and Riverview wind farms will provide the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) with their net power production and renewable energy credits under two 20-year renewable Energy Support Agreements (RESAs), which were awarded in 2017 through a tender launched by AESO.
The wind farms are projected to produce about 493 GWh annually, located in the town of Pincher Creek, saving about 335.500 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
