Northwest Utility Proposes Large Wind Project Site (350-450 MW)

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Portland, Oregon Portland General Electric signed an agreement with Orion Energy, to acquire the development rights for the 25,000-acre Biglow Canyon Wind Farm in Sherman County, Oregon. If the agreement is approved by the OPUC, Portland General Electric (PGE) could develop between 350 and 450 megawatts (MW) of wind energy capacity at the site, which could produce enough electricity to power 100,000 homes. It would be one of the largest wind power projects in the nation.

The proposed acquisition of the development rights would enable PGE to hold wind easements from more than 23 private landowners in Sherman County for a term of 30 years or more. Orion Energy worked with local representatives of these landowners, collectively known as Praise the Wind, Inc., to develop and execute the wind easements.

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) is currently reviewing the agreement and is expected to announce its recommendation in the next several weeks.

"Oregon must lead by example in its production of energy, and I applaud PGE for taking steps in helping get more wind power in our state's energy mix," said Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski. "This is the kind of project that will help achieve my goals of meeting 25 percent of the state's electricity through renewable energy sources by 2025 and 100 percent renewable energy in state government by 2010."

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