April 17, 2008
Washington

Puget Energy plans to expand wind farm in central Washington

Puget Energy Inc. said Thursday it plans to expand a wind farm on Central Washington’s Whisky Dick Mountain, boosting the site’s capacity by 17 to 22 percent.

The company’s Puget Sound Energy division said it will ask state regulators to let it add about 25 wind turbines to the site, known as Wild Horse Wind Facility, which is located near the town of Ellensburg. A total of 127 turbines already operate at the site.

Wild Horse currently has the potential to generate up to 229 megawatts of power when operating at maximum capacity, or enough electricity for about 60,000 households, the company said. The proposed expansion would increase capacity by 40 to 50 megawatts.

The cost of the project was not disclosed. If the company wins approval for the project, it plans to begin construction next year, with the goal of bringing the added turbines online by 2010.

Puget Energy shares rose 14 cents to $26.53 in morning trading.

The Associated Press