Gulf Power received unanimous approval today from the Florida Public Service Commission to add additional 94 megawatts of wind energy from the Kingfisher Wind farm in Oklahoma.
Since January, Gulf Power has utilized 178 megawatts of wind-generated energy purchased from Kingfisher Wind. With the approval of a second agreement, Gulf Power will add an additional 94 megawatts from Kingfisher to its energy mix, for a total of 272 megawatts.
“This is a major step forward in our mission to deliver reliable, affordable, and clean energy with renewable energy that makes economic sense for our customers,” said Rick DelaHaya, a spokesperson for Gulf Power. “Part of our commitment to an efficient and reliable energy future means making more renewable sources of energy accessible to our customers. These smart renewables, like Kingfisher Wind, can actually put downward pressure on prices.”
Operated by Virginia-based Apex Clean Energy, the Kingfisher Wind project is located in rural Oklahoma and has a total of 136 wind turbines, capable of producing enough energy to power approximately 77,150 homes for a year.
“Adding alternate sources of renewable energy to our portfolio is important for our customers and takes careful planning,” added DelaHaya. “By diversifying our energy supply with an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach that includes renewable energy plus 24/7 traditional sources, our customers can count on us for their energy needs today and well into the future.”
Gulf Power is also bringing large-scale solar to Northwest Florida at three military solar energy projects across Northwest Florida. Located at Eglin Air Force Base, Saufley Field and Holley Field, the projects are expected to provide approximately a combined 120 megawatts of renewable energy. Other Gulf Power investments in renewable energy include the Perdido Landfill Gas-to-Energy Facility, which has produced more than 100 million kilowatt hours of electricity since 2010.
Between the military solar projects and the additional wind energy purchased from Kingfisher, renewable energy sources are projected to comprise about nine percent of Gulf Power’s energy mix.
