May 20, 2016
Oklahoma

Wind farm developing near Covington

By Emily Summars, Staff Writer | Enid News & Eagle | www.enidnews.com

A new wind farm is planned for the Covington area by California-based Infinity Renewables, according to a spokesperson.

Senior Product Manager Casey Willis said Infinity began work on the Armadillo Flats project in early 2015.

“Since that time, we’ve been diligently working with the landowners to sign easements to participate in the project, conducting thorough environmental studies, interconnect and wind studies and directly interacting with Vance Air Force Base to verify that the project would not conflict with existing operations,” Willis said in an email. “The project is in moderate stage of development, and we are targeting to construct approximately 250 megawatts as one or more phases as early as 2017.”

The project is estimated to generate $1.5 million annually in property tax revenues over the life of the project, Willis said.

“Of this total, by our estimates based on the current mill rates, the following entities would directly benefit: Covington-Douglas Public Schools at $976,000, Autry Tech at $284,000, county general funds at $191,000 and the county health department at $48,000,” Willis said. “The property tax estimates noted above are presented as the average annual payments over the 25-plus year life on the project.”

Willis said actual payments owed are usually more in the beginning before decreasing as time continues.

Willis did not say how many people the project could employee or the number of turbines planned for construction.

“However, a project of this size generally employees about 150 to 200 people during construction and eight to 12 people during operation,” he said.

Infinity Renewables has two other ongoing projects in Oklahoma. The Mammoth Plains II Winds Project in Blaine and Dewey counties and Willow Creek in Noble and Pawnee counties. Neither project is completed but both are estimated to be 200 megawatts.

Infinity has one completed project in Oklahoma. The Mammoth Plains Winds Project was completed in 2014. Mammoth Plains has 117 turbines and is owned and operated by NextEra Energy Resources. The project is about 199 mega watts. The power was purchased by Southwestern Public Service Co.

Infinity Renewables began as Infinity Wind Power, LLC in 2008. The company renamed to Infinity Renewables when it incorporated solar energy into its repertoire.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/05/20/wind-farm-developing-near-covington/