State-backing and major investments continue to propel the development of US’ wind energy sector

Report highlights Michigan's primary wind development zones

Michigan’s Wind Energy Resource Zone Board has produced a report listing regions in the state boasting the highest level of wind energy harvest potential.

The report identifies four regions in the Lower Peninsula including Allegan County; Antrim and Charlevoix counties; Benzie, Leelanau, and Manistee counties; and parts of Huron, Sanilac, Tuscola, Bay and Saginaw counties, respectively.

According to the report, increasing wind energy development in Michigan hinges on several key factors, including state and federal policies and incentives and the capacity of the electric transmission system.

Transmission companies and electric utilities will identify transmission requirements for the board's identified wind regions by November 30, 2009. The board dissolves on January 13, 2010.

Plutonic Power to raise capital for wind

Canadian hydro-electric producer, Plutonic Power Corp, plans to raise around C$70.35 million (US$68.5mn) through an equity sale, according to the Vancouver Sun.

The equity capital is being raised for the Dokie Ridge wind project in Western Canada, according to sources. Montreal-based Cormark Securities and a syndicate of underwriters will pay C$70.35 for 21 million common shares of Plutonic.

The net proceeds of the offering will be invested in the Toba Montrose project transmission line, and the acquisition of the Dokie Ridge Wind Project. Around C$10 million will be set aside as working capital, Plutonic vice-chairman and CEO Donald McInnes told The Vancouver Sun.

SGS Wind Energy expands into risk management

UK-based SGS Wind Energy Services has expanded its occupational Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental (HSSE) auditing services to include legal mapping and risk management advisory services for offshore wind farms.

Its legal mapping services now range from road safety during transportation to electrical safety compliance during commissioning of wind turbine. Its risk management services would be used to analyse and mitigate risks associated with wind projects.

According to SGS, the auditing firm now covers all stages of the project cycle.

Suzlon beats wind project deadline

India’s largest wind turbine manufacturer Suzlon Energy has completed and commissioned a 19.5 MW wind farm project for the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) at the Maliya -Miyana site in Rajkot district of Gujarat.

The project has been completed two months ahead of the contractual commissioning period. The project, comprising 13 units of Suzlon's S82 - 1.5 MW wind turbines, is part of the GMDC’s roadmap to develop 100 MW of wind power capacity.

WindPole, Invenergy sign contract

Lexington, Massachusetts-based WindPole Ventures has signed a deal with wind energy generator Invenergy Wind Development. The former will provide wind resource data in support of Invenergy’s wind power development and operations.

WindPole will equip towers in six states to generate wind resource data. The company will use a national portfolio of tall towers including 1,200 towers formerly in ATT’s microwave relay network.

Siemens Energy wins orders worth €600m

Siemens Energy has been awarded six new wind turbine contracts in North America, totaling more than 565 MW at an estimated value in excess of €600 million (US$896mn).

In all, the company will deliver around 250 turbines, 66 of which are destined for Competitive Power Ventures for an Oklahoma wind farm; 44 turbines for Duke Energy to be deployed in Wyoming; 26 turbines for Cannon Power Group in Washington State; and 44 turbines for Pattern Energy to be installed in California.

In Ontario, 44 units of 2.3 megawatt wind turbines were ordered for Kruger Energy’s Chatham wind farm, while another 22 units were set for the Brookfield Renewable Power Fund-owned Gosfield wind farm.

Arizona celebrates inaugural commercial-scale wind project

Dignitaries, including US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, recently visited northern Arizona to inaugurate the state’s first wind farm, the Dry Lake Wind Power Project.

Located in Navajo County, the project consists of 30 Suzlon S88-2.1 MW turbines. It has been developed and is being operated by Iberdrola Renewables.

Approximately one-third of the project is on the private Rocking Chair Ranch, with the remaining two-thirds spread across Arizona State Land Department and Bureau of Land Management public lands.

Californian renewable energy development to be expedited

California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to expedite the siting of California renewable energy projects.

California is the first state to sign an MoU with the Department of the Interior (DOI) to cooperatively develop long-term renewable energy plans that can receive 30 % federal tax credits under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (Recovery Act).

The DOI and California Natural Resources Agency will develop detailed maps of the best areas for development and conservation – allowing for expedited project siting and habitat protection for California to achieve its goal of reaching 33% renewable energy by 2020.