Enel Green Power expanding Cimarron Bend wind farm to largest in Kansas

摘要

Enel Green Power has started construction on a 199-MW expansion at its 400-MW Cimarron Bend wind farm in southwestern Kansas that will make it the largest windfarm in the state once complete and one of the largest in the country. The 74-turbine expansion, expected to be complete by the end of 2020, will increase Cimarron Bend’s capacity to 599 MW, which would also make it the largest wind farm in Enel’s North American portfolio, according to a June 18 company statement. Currently, the largest wind farm in Kansas is the 470-MW Flat Ridge II. It is also the third largest nationwide behind the 736-MW Horse Hollow Wind farm and the 663-MW Capricorn Ridge Wind farm, both in Texas. “Since the beginning of 2008, wind generating capacity in Kansas has more than tripled to 4,451 MW, making Kansas one of the top five states in the nation,” according to the Kansas Department of Commerce. “There is plenty of room to add more, with Kansas ranking second in wind energy potential and 874 MW of additional wind projects underway.” The state has nearly 30 wind projects in operation, with seven wind projects under construction totaling 1.3 GW, according to the Kansas Corporation Commission.