WIND ENERGY

CIRI is investing in innovation, technology and a diverse portfolio of clean, dependable and economic energy options, including wind power.

Fire Island

Fire Island Wind LLC (FIW), a wholly owned CIRI subsidiary, is developing Alaska's first commercial-scale wind power generation project on CIRI land on Fire Island, in Cook Inlet just west of Anchorage.

Southcentral Alaska uses natural gas to generate more than 90 percent of its electricity. However, Cook Inlet gas reserves are running out. Clean, renewable wind energy could diversify Railbelt power resources, which would increase reliability and decrease ratepayers' vulnerability to gas shortages and price increases.

The project is expected to include 36 turbines capable of producing 54 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 18,000 homes.

Site preparation on Fire Island is underway, with infrastructure work to commence in 2010.

The location was initially selected by Chugach Electric Association as a site that could provide commercial quantities of electric power to key load centers on the Railbelt grid.

Why wind?

Help alleviate Southcentral Alaska energy crisis

Stable-priced power over the long-term (25-30 years)

FIW is the most immediately feasible and least expensive large-scale renewable energy project in Alaska

Reduce Southcentral Alaska's overdependence on natural gas for its electric power generation

Utilizes federal grant funds to reduce cost of power to rate payers

Expands and improves Railbelt electricity grid by adding more than 24 miles of transmission

Alaskan-owned

Go to www.fireislandwind.com for more information.