Duke Energy Indiana has finalized an agreement to purchase up to 100 megawatts of wind-generated electricity from an Orion Energy wind farm. The 20-year agreement is the first significant, long-term purchase of wind power in Indiana.
The agreement is the result of a request for proposals Duke Energy Indiana (then PSI Energy) issued for green energy resources in late 2005. Pending regulatory approval, Duke Energy Indiana will begin purchasing the power in 2007, according to PRNewswire.
Orion Energy, an independent developer of wind projects, began the almost completed Benton County project on approximately 10,000 acres in late 2003. Located in York and Richland townships, the project is expected to go online by late 2007. Duke Energy Indiana has filed for approval of the purchase power agreement with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
"We are very pleased to be working with Duke Energy to bring the first utility-scale wind energy project to Indiana," said Reid Buckley, Orion Energy vice president for development. "Orion is also very appreciative of all the support we've received from local farming families and officials in Benton and Newton counties in the development of this project."
"Duke Energy's announcement is right in line with our new state energy plan to maximize Indiana's wind energy potential," said Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. "This is a small but significant part of Indiana's long-term plan to find alternative sources of energy."
