Wind energy projects underway in Arizona

We just heard briefings from three energy companies on the status of their wind projects in Arizona. None of the 3 have anything on the projects on their web sites. [right, construction of a wind generator - not in Arizona. Credit BP]

Sempra is developing the Navajo Wind project on Gray Mountain near Cameron. Mitch Dmohowski says it's one of the best wind sites in the state, with a capacity of 30-33%. They anticipate 250-500 MW being built by 2011-2013, at a cost of $500 million to $1 billion. The project area covers 45,000 acres.

Iberdrola Renewables expects to start receiving turbines in January 2009 for phase 1 of the Dry Lake wind project, 20 miles south of Holbrook. This will be 63 MW of a potential 378 MW in later phases. They have a signed contract with SRP and expect to start delivering power next August. Of the 7,000 acres in the project area, about 290 acres will be permanently disturbed. Lands are private, state trust, and BLM.

BP alternativenergy is working on a 300 MW project at White Hills in Mojave County, about 40 miles north of Kingman. They have 4 years of wind data and are starting permitting with BLM. The earliest project completion would be 2010-2011.