July 9, 2008
Texas
Texas
As many as 20 wind turbines with towers almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty might be seen in the Port of Corpus Christi’s inner harbor as early as spring if port commissioners approve a partnership with a Colorado-based firm.
Port commissioners Tuesday instructed staff to negotiate the final terms of a 30-year lease agreement with Revolution Energy for 55 acres located about a mile north of the Harbor Bridge. Commissioners and Revolution officials expect to have a finalized agreement by the end of the week.
The $65 million project would bring 50 construction jobs for six months, at least six full-time jobs in the research and development realm for three to six years and at least eight full-time operation and maintenance jobs. It also would mean a minimum payment to the port through the life of the project of $6.7 million, or about an average of $223,000 a year.
The towers will measure 295 feet in height with the rotors, or blades, measuring an additional 150 feet. The turbines, from base to tip of rotor, would be slightly taller than the port’s grain elevator and about the height of some of the smoke stacks from local refineries.
The wind power will be sold to the wholesale market and purchased by retail electric providers. The retail providers will sell it to consumers.
By Fanny S. Chirinos
8 July 2008