WIND ENERGY
CIRI is one of the first companies in Alaska working to develop the renewable energy resources of the state. CIRI and its partner, enXco Development Corp., are studying the development of wind energy projects on CIRI land at Fire Island and other sites in Southcentral Alaska.
FIRE ISLAND
A photo simulation demonstrates a possible wind farm on Fire Island. Image courtesy of Chugach Electric Association.
CIRI and enXco, in cooperation with several Railbelt utilities, have teamed to develop Alaska's first large-scale wind project on Fire Island.
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.
Fire Island wind turbines could generate 30 to 50 megawatts of clean, renewable energy within two years if the project goes forward. The wind farm could eventually generate 100 megawatts or more and provide enough power for 35,000 average-sized homes.
Wind Energy Alaska, a 50-50-owned subsidiary of CIRI and enXco, will build and operate the Fire Island wind farm. 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?
- Wind energy is renewable, so it won't run out
- The long-term cost of wind-generated electricity is cheaper and more predictable than fossil-fuel powered sources
- Wind power reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts
- Wind power could offset the need to burn natural gas, so that Cook Inlet oil and gas reserves would last longer
- Using wind energy locally could let the state take full advantage of escalating petroleum prices by selling more Alaska oil and gas to the rest of the world
- Alaska wind energy resources would be built and operated in-state by Alaskans
ENXCO
enXco Inc., an EdF-EN Company, develops, operates and manages wind energy projects throughout the U.S. It is the country's largest third-party operations and maintenance provider for wind parks, currently servicing more than 3,600 turbines nationwide.
EdF Energies Nouvelles, a 50-percent owned affiliate of the EdF Group, specializes in renewable power generation, with a primary focus on wind power. It has built up positions in the European Union and the U.S. The company is leading market player in the renewable energy sector with its installed capacity of 887 megawatts and 2006 consolidated revenues of 335 million euros.
