Evergy to Reduce Emissions by 80%, Adds 660 MW Wind Energy to Portfolio

Evergy has announced that it will expand its wind energy portfolio by 660 MW, and reduce carbon output by 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.

Evergy, an American investor-owned utility operating in Kansas, has announced with the Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly that it will expand its wind energy portfolio by 660 MW, and reduce carbon output by 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2050. Electricity from four new wind energy sites will be used to attract and retain large commercial and industrial customers.

The firm has announced its commitment to achieving an 80 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions below 2005 levels from its fleet of power plants by 2050, which is a commitment consistent with the Paris Climate Accord. By the end of 2020, it expects to have reached an estimated 40 percent reduction in emissions.

Highlighting the key components of a plan to achieve this significant emissions reduction:

• Retiring all coal power plants in its fleet at the end of their useful life, which is currently estimated to be between 2040-2050, with the exception of Iatan 2 in Missouri;
• Continuing to make significant investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency;
• Operating the Wolf Creek Nuclear Station until its license expires in 2045; and
• Adding a small amount of natural gas generation, if additional carbon-free generation is not available within the plan’s timeframe.

“Reducing carbon emissions and increasing the amount of wind energy on our system benefits our customers by reducing operating costs and by making our operations more environmentally sustainable,” said Terry Bassham, Evergy president and chief executive officer. “This represents a significant investment in the state of Kansas, helping to create clean energy jobs, and bring additional income for rural communities and school districts. It will also make Kansas more competitive for future economic development and job creation.”

Furthermore, with the new addition, the total amount of wind serving its customers to 4,535 MW, making it one of the top five wind energy companies in the United States. The energy from these wind farms will be used to support and expand its Direct Renewables Program, which allows Kansas companies to access clean wind energy to become more sustainable and reduce the overall cost of energy.

The four projects are:

• Expedition Wind, a 199 MW project being developed by National Renewable Solutions in Marion County, Kan.
• Flat Ridge 3, an additional 128 MW of wind generation being developed by AEP Renewables near Kingman, Kan.
• Jayhawk Wind, a 193 MW wind project being developed by Apex Clean Energy in Crawford and Bourbon Counties, Kan., with Evergy purchasing power from 155 MW of the site.
• Ponderosa Wind, from which Evergy will purchase 178 MW of wind energy from the site being developed by a subsidiary of NextEra Resources, LLC, south of Liberal, Kan., in Oklahoma.

“Evergy is a national leader in renewables. In fact, thanks in large part to our wind investments, Kansas now ranks Number One in the nation for per capita wind generation,” Bassham said. “We will continue to grow our renewable energy commitment and provide affordable options to help our customers meet their sustainability goals.”