Perennial Public Power District Moves Forward with Wind
Energy Study
(September 12, 2014) York, NE. – Perennial Public
Power District’s board of directors recently voted to partner with Bluestem
Energy Solutions out of Omaha, NE to study and develop a potential wind energy
project within Perennial’s service area.
Perennial’s current wholesale power contract with the Nebraska Public
Power District allows Perennial to generate a portion of its energy from a
renewable energy resource. “Because our NPPD contract allows us this option, we
feel it is worth looking into the details and identify any benefits for our
ratepayers. Potential benefits include: financial savings, economic development
activity within the district and adding some renewable energy to our current
portfolio”, says General Manager Jamey Pankoke.
The proposed project would be located
within Perennial’s service territory. There are numerous factors that go into
choosing the specific site which include the terrain of the land, environmental
concerns and characteristics of the wind resource.
“Today’s utility industry faces many new
risks and unknowns. Due to increased regulation of coal and nuclear facilities,
transmission security, water usage in regards to electric generation, global
commodity fluctuation, new fuel sources, changing models, new customer demands,
environmental concerns, rising prices and many more, we feel that some local
generation may offer Perennial and its rate payers some certainty, security and
stability for the future. This project would also pay property taxes, land
owner lease payments and provide new economic activity for years to come”,
states Pankoke.
According to the American Wind Energy
Association electricity generated from new turbine technology installed in the
last five years has grown at a rate of 200 percent. Increased performance,
production and reliability are the result of technology innovation and
operational improvements, which has effectively driven down the costs while
offering a better product. “The wind industry appears to have continued to
provide more reliable technology at better prices. Based on the market data we
are seeing this appears to be a responsible time for Perennial Power to enter
into the wind industry”, says Pankoke.
The development period will go through the
end of this year. Perennial should have the data they need to make any final
decisions as to whether or not to go forward with the wind project by the
spring of 2015.
Perennial Public Power District is a
Nebraska rural electric utility system that serves York and Fillmore Counties
in south central Nebraska. Organized in 1938, Perennial PPD provides service to
more than 8000 electric meters and maintains over 2000 miles of transmission
and distribution power lines. Perennial PPD also serves several villages
including Benedict, Exeter, Grafton, Gresham, Henderson, Lushton, McCool
Junction, Milligan, Ohiowa, Strang, Thayer and Waco. To learn more, visit
www.perennialpower.com.
