Progress Begins for 400 MW Arizona Wind Farm

In a crucial step toward developing a massive wind farm near the Hoover Dam in the Northwest corner of Arizona, Western Wind Energy has applied to the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) for 400 megawatts of interconnection and transmission service.

Scottsdale, Arizona – April 6, 2004 [SolarAccess.com] With over five years of monitoring the area using 13 different anemometers strategically located throughout the company’s land, Western Wind Energy has determined the area to be ripe for wind power development. “This project will bring energy price stability, environmental leadership, independence from foreign fuel sources and economic and social benefits to the citizens and stakeholders of Arizona,” said Mike Boyd, President of the Arizona subsidiary of Western Wind Energy. The application was made to the Desert Southwest Region in Phoenix, Arizona under the Open Access Transmission Service Tariff. The requested service is for a 400 MW interconnection and 400 MW of transmission on the WAPA Mead-Liberty 345 kV transmission line in the vicinity of Dolan Springs, Arizona. The company’s land position consists of 65,000 acres of federal land applications, 8,300 acres of private land leases and 440 acres of fee simple land owned by the company. The company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Engineer, Steve Mendoza has been active in Arizona transmission planning committees and forums. Through Mendoza’s activities, the Company continues to support the cooperative development of transmission facilities in the southwest region of the United States. The foresight and cooperation of local planning groups makes it possible for the orderly and cost effective development of major projects which will benefit the State of Arizona,” Mendoza said. Western Wind Energy is working with several large integrated energy companies regarding the selling of both the energy and green credits associated with the proposed 400 MW wind project. When fully developed the project will cost over 400 million dollars. Financing for the project would come from tax partnerships and would not require any dilution to the company’s shareholders. The company said tax partnerships are an ideal way to build the project with favorable tax benefits to tax investors while preventing dilution to the Western Wind shareholder.