Enel starts construction of new wind farm in USA

Once completed, Diamond Vista will further secure Enel’s position as the largest wind capacity operator in the state with approximately 1,400 MW of operational wind energy.

“The start of construction of Diamond Vista, which follows a record year of growth in 2017 for Enel Green Power in the US, sends a strong message about our ability to deliver on the company’s commitment to further strengthen its renewable leadership,” said Antonio Cammisecra, Head of Enel’s Global Renewable Energies division, Enel Green Power. “Furthermore, this project confirms us as a partner of choice for offtake customers who, like Enel, are committed to advancing a sustainable energy future. We are proud to be able to support their renewable goals through a cost-effective energy supply.”

Investment in the construction of Diamond Vista amounts to approximately 400 million US dollars and is part of the investment outlined in the Enel Group’s current strategic plan. The project is financed through the Enel Group’s own resources. The project is expected to enter into service by the end of 2018 and, once fully operational, will be able to generate around 1,300 GWh annually.

The power and renewable energy credits from a 100 MW portion of Diamond Vista will be sold to global manufacturing company Kohler Co. under a bundled, long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). The wind energy will supply 100% of the annual electricity needed to power Kohler’s US and Canadian operations, including its 85 manufacturing facilities, offices and warehouses, and will reduce Kohler’s global greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25%. The project is supported by two additional bundled long-term PPAs under which the power and renewable energy credits from another 100 MW portion will be sold to City Utilities of Springfield and those from the 84 MW portion to Tri-County Electric Cooperative of Oklahoma.

The facility is owned by EGPNA’s subsidiary Enel Green Power Diamond Vista Wind Project, LLC. EGPNA acquired the project from Tradewind Energy, their long-term strategic development partner, headquartered in Kansas.

In Kansas, Enel operates five additional wind farms, Smoky Hills I & II, Caney River, Buffalo Dunes and the company’s largest wind farm globally, the 400 MW Cimarron Bend wind farm.

EGPNA, part of the Renewable Energies division of the Enel Group, is a leading owner and operator of renewable energy plants in North America with projects operating and under development in 23 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. EGPNA operates around 100 plants with a managed capacity exceeding 4.2 GW powered by renewable hydropower, wind, geothermal and solar energy. In 2017, the company was the fastest growing renewable energy company in the US, bringing approximately 1.2 GW of capacity online. The company is currently the largest wind operator in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Enel Green Power, the renewable energies division of the Enel Group, is dedicated to the development and operation of renewables across the world, with a presence in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Enel Green Power is a global leader in the green energy sector with a managed capacity of around 40 GW across a generation mix that includes wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and hydropower, and is at the forefront of integrating innovative technologies into renewable power plants. Through corporate power purchase agreements, Enel Green Power enables companies to capture business value, while also tackling climate change.