Duke Energy Announces 350 MW Wind Project in Oklahoma

Duke Energy Renewables has announced the largest wind power project in its fleet, the 350 MW Frontier Windpower II project in Kay County, Oklahoma.

Duke Energy Renewables, a commercial business unit of Duke Energy, has announced the largest wind power project in its fleet – the 350 MW Frontier Windpower II project in Kay County, Oklahoma.

The project is an expansion of Frontier Windpower, which has been operational since 2016. Once complete, Frontier I and II will generate a total of 550 MW of wind energy – enough to power approximately 193,000 homes.

Ball Corporation has signed a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) for 161 MW of the Frontier II project. Another major corporation has signed a VPPA for an additional 160 MW and will be announced later this year.

Rob Caldwell, president of Duke Energy Renewables said that the Frontier II will deliver clean energy for Oklahoma and significant economic benefits to the area.

“We’re pleased to be working with the Ball Corporation on the Frontier II project, which will be located in an area that has some of the best wind resources in the country.”

Full mobilisation for construction for Frontier II will occur later this summer, and the wind project will be fully operational by December 2020. During peak construction, the wind project will create approximately 250 jobs.

Nordex Group has bagged the order for the project and will supply 74 4.8-MW wind turbines for the site.

“We are pleased to be working together with Duke Energy Renewables and particularly looking forward to working with one of the most experienced project developers in the U.S. This project will utilize one of the most modern turbines in the country. The turbine technology will maximize the wind resource in Oklahoma to benefit customers,” said Patxi Landa, CSO of the Nordex Group.

The 350-MW Frontier Windpower II project will produce enough energy to power about 123,000 average homes.

Recently, the company announced the acquisition of the under construction 200-MW Holstein solar project from 8minute Solar Energy. The project, located in Nolan County, Texas, will be the largest in Duke Energy Renewables’ fleet once complete.