May 20, 2008
Oklahoma

OG&E files to increase wind power

Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. confirmed the plans it announced last fall and on Monday formally filed its intention of increasing its wind power to 4.5 times its current level.

OG&E indicated in the filing with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission it will increase its wind energy capacity from 170 megawatts to 770 megawatts.

Customers’ monthly bill would increase $1.50 per month in 2010 to cover the addition of wind power, officials said. A transmission line project will cost $211 million, but the total development cost will be determined later and presented to the Corporation Commission in the coming weeks, OG&E spokesman Brian Alford said.

OGE Energy Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Pete Delaney first gave his plans last October.

OG&E will first build a high-capacity transmission line between Woodward and Oklahoma City. The company also said will give a renewable energy that will permit OG&E customers to have as much as 100 percent of their power come from the wind.

“The comprehensive filing reflects our integrated approach to renewable development in Oklahoma,” Delaney said Monday.

“OG&E is seeking permission to not only build the infrastructure requested to provide a much greater supply of wind energy, but a tariff to enable our customers to be 100-percent green in their electricity purchase. Wind energy has great value as a hedge against increasing natural gas prices and the potential cost associated with federal greenhouse gas legislation.”

Pending approval, OG&E’s program would begin early 2009 and would add 300 megawatts in 2010 and 300 megawatts by 2012.

OG&E officials said the demand for energy increases by approximately 1.8 percent per year.

The application requests the commission to approve the cost to build the transmission line and a rider to allow recovery of costs for it beginning when services begins; and for approval of the tariff that would allow customers to purchase all their power from wind.

OG&E requested an order from the commission by July 31.

OGE Energy shares increased 28 cents to $32.75 at the close of trading Monday on the New York Stock Exchange.

by Jerry Shottenkirk

The Journal Record

20 May 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/05/20/oge-files-to-increase-wind-power/