Western Farmers Energy Cooperative to Tap Oklahoma Wind

December 2003

The Western Farmers Energy Cooperative (WFEC) is also about to tap into Oklahoma's wind resource. The Blue Canyon Wind Farm, about 15 miles northwest of Lawton, is set to transmit wind-generated electricity by the end of this year. Construction of the site began in June. When complete, it will feature 45 turbines each rated at 1.65 MW and sitting top 218-foot turbine towers.

Under a 20-year agreement, WFEC will purchase 74.25 MW of wind power from Blue Canyon Windpower LLC, which is owned by Zilkha Renewable Energy and the Kimart Corporation. WFEC will own, operate, and maintain the metering, communication, system protective devices, and the transmission system that delivers the power.

To celebrate Blue Canyon's development, Zilkha and WFEC held an on-site reception September 30 that featured Oklahoma Lt. Governor Mary Fallin and 300 others, including local landowners, state legislators, and WFEC representatives.

Blue Canyon will supply wind power to WFEC's 19 rural electric cooperatives that serve farms, rural residences, towns, and commercial and industrial customers in nearly two-thirds of rural Oklahoma.