
Missouri’s Rock Creek Wind Project will interconnect to the new 345-kV Midwest Transmission line scheduled for completion in 2017. (Photo: Trade Wind Energy)
Enel S.p.A., through its renewable energy subsidiary Enel Green Power North America (EGPNA), has started construction of the Rock Creek wind farm, the first Enel farm to be built in the state of Missouri. Once fully operational, Rock Creek is expected to generate approximately 1,250 GWh annually, while avoiding the emission of about 900,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.
The new wind farm, located in Atchison County, will have a total installed capacity of 300 MW and is expected to enter into service by the end of 2017. Enel will be investing approximately 500 million U.S. dollars in the construction of Rock Creek as part of the investment outlined in its current strategic plan.
The project is being financed through the Enel Group’s own resources, and the facility is owned by EGPNA’s subsidiary Rock Creek Wind Project, LLC. The facility’s power and renewable energy credits will be sold under two separate bundled, long-term power purchase agreements with Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L) and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company.
“The start of construction of yet another wind project in the U.S. further solidifies our strong investment and growth in the U.S. market,” said Rafael Gonzalez, Head of the North America Area for the Enel Group’s Global Renewable Energies Division, EGPNA. “Enel is thrilled to be contributing to Missouri’s growing wind economy and we look forward to building, owning, and operating a wind project that will be a catalyst for creating jobs and delivering significant economic benefits to the local community.”
Rock Creek is one of six Enel renewable energy projects currently under construction in the U.S. Enel’s other wind projects include: the 108-MW Drift Sand wind farm in Oklahoma, the 400-MW Cimarron Bend wind project in Kansas, the 150-MW Aurora solar power project in Minnesota, the 150-MW Lindahl wind project in North Dakota, and the 65-MW Chisholm View II wind project in Oklahoma.
Filed Under: News, Projects