Purpose and Need

WAPA’s Purpose and Need

ConnectGen has applied to interconnect the Project to the existing Ault-Craig 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line that intersects the Project Area, under the WAPA Large Generator Interconnection Process . The Ault-Craig 345-kV transmission line is jointly owned by WAPA, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, and Platte River Power Authority. In accordance with its Open Access Transmission Service Tariff (Tariff), WAPA’s consideration to grant an interconnection request is a Federal action subject to environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the Department of Energy, and Council on Environmental Quality NEPA implementing regulations. Under these regulations, ConnectGen’s Project is considered a connected action to WAPA’s Federal decision of granting an interconnection to its transmission system. WAPA’s purpose and need is to consider and respond to the request for an interconnection agreement in accordance with its Tariff and the Federal Power Act, as amended.

ConnectGen’s Goals and Objectives

ConnectGen’s goal is to obtain the interconnection agreement with WAPA to transmit the renewable energy generated by the Project to potential customers using WAPA’s transmission system. ConnectGen’s objectives are to:

(1) Develop, construct, and operate a commercial wind energy generation facility capable of generating up to 504 MW of wind energy.

(2) Interconnect to WAPA’s transmission system via a direct interconnection to the Ault-Craig 345-kV transmission line.

(3) Locate the Project in close proximity to an existing transmission line in order to reduce impacts and costs associated with building new transmission.

(4) Serve increasing market demand within the Western Interconnection, driven by state renewable portfolio standard (RPS) mandates and clean energy goals, the low cost of wind energy generation, and planned retirements of thermal generation facilities.

(5) Create temporary and permanent jobs in Albany County and contribute to Albany County’s tax base.

(6) Support landowners through diversification of revenue streams.

(7) Offset approximately 900,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually compared to typical U.S. electric generation.

(8) Provide emissions-free energy for the equivalent of approximately 180,000 households.

Thirty-seven states now have an RPS, or goal, for electricity produced by renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal sources. In addition to the demand driven by state RPS mandates and clean energy goals, there is increased demand from western load-serving entities because of the low cost of wind energy and planned retirements of thermal generation plants. The cost of generating electricity from wind continues to trend downward, approaching costs competitive with existing conventional generation, even when considering nonsubsidized prices. Many western utilities have announced ambitious plans to add large amounts of renewable energy to their portfolios in the coming years. These drivers of demand create a dynamic marketplace in which wind energy can be generated in one location and transmitted to another. Energy generation and transmission locations are influenced by market conditions and power purchase agreements between the wind energy developer and the utility or large-scale consumer purchasing the electricity. The Project is complementary to ConnectGen’s renewable energy generation strategy and would contribute to the generation resource pool needed to meet future load and regional RPS requirements.