Lower Snake River Wind Energy Project will produce up to 1,432 MW

The full buildout of the Lower Snake River Wind Energy Project could be 1,432 megawatts (MW), making it one of the largest wind energy resource areas in the nation. Under terms of the contract with PSE, Burns & McDonnell will support the remaining development activities, design the wind farm and associated transmission line interconnects and related infrastructure, and provide construction management services.

“We are excited to support the Lower Snake River Wind Energy Project with our expertise in development, design and construction management,” Jeff Greig, Vice President, Burns & McDonnell. “PSE is a national leader in renewable energy, and we look forward to helping bring the Lower Snake River project into operation.”

When complete, the Lower Snake River Wind Energy Project will produce up to 1,432 MW of electricity from up to 795 wind turbines. PSE currently is the second largest utility owner and operator of wind power facilities in the nation. It is currently producing up to 157 MW of electricity from the Hopkins Ridge Wind Farm near Dayton, Wash., and up to 229 MW of electricity the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility near Ellensburg, Wash. An additional 44 MW of wind capacity is currently being added at the Wild Horse facility.

As sole owner, PSE will oversee all development, design and construction and will operate the wind units once they are commissioned. The project will be built in Garfield County and Columbia County, in the Southeastern corner of Washington State. Due to prevailing winds year round, the Lower Snake River area is one of the premier wind resource areas in the Pacific Northwest.