Big wind power farm near Oakesdale
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A major wind power farm will be built in the Palouse this summer, Boston-based First Wind announced Tuesday.
The company will build 58 giant windmills between the town of Oakesdale and US 195. Each can produce 1.8 megawatts of electricity, for a total of 105 megawatts of power. Officials said Palouse Wind will produce enough power to serve 30,000 customers.
Construction will cost $210 million, First Wind said.
"We are also making a major investment in the economic future of the region with $30 million of direct (local) spending planned during construction and an additional $1.5 million each year once the project achieves commercial operations," said Paul Gaynor, chief executive officer of First Wind.
The company has a 30-year agreement to sell the power to Avista, the Spokane-based utility that serves eastern Washington and northern Idaho.
"Palouse Wind will help Avista meet its goal of providing reliable energy to our customers at a reasonable cost, while meeting renewable portfolio standards," said Avista Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Morris.
First Wind said the windmills will only occasionally be visible from US 195.
Ben Fairbanks, director of business development in the Northwest for First Wind, said this is the first wind power facility in Whitman County.
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