Baylor County wind project afoot; Electricity job still in process of development

Carter Wind Energy, in partnership with landowners in the Seymour area, is in the process of developing a project to harness the wind to generate electricity in Baylor County.

Matt Carter, president of the company, said plans call for developing an anticipated 80MW (megawatts) Community Wind Energy Project on 8,000 acres.

"We are still in the development process," said Carter. "We have done some of the pre-development work with the landowners and secured the site."

Carter said CWE next will erect meteorological towers to "measure the wind and to confirm it and its potential." Then, he explained, the company will go to the electric utility company to secure an interconnection agreement.

Carter estimates that construction could start within the next 18 months.

"The earliest would be 18 months from now. That is a good early number ...an 18- to 36-month window to have it up and in operation," he explained.

He said Community Wind Energy Projects are smaller in size, developed and operated with "the goal of maximizing the local community's economic benefit of the natural resource inherent to their area while also minimizing the impact to existing rural economic industries such as farming, ranching, and recreation."

Carter said his company will sub-contract some of the work, but the turbines will be supplied by CWE, which will be responsible for installation and long-term operation and maintenance. At this point, the rough estimate of turbines is around 160.

"Wind energy is an extension of the natural resource stewardship practices originating in the farming and ranching industry, and I am very excited to be a part in providing a clean, renewable, domestic source of energy," one rancher participating in the project said.

Once it is up and running, the landowners will be paid royalties, Carter explained.

The company also is in the early stages of developing two other North Texas Community Wind Energy Projects totaling 160MW's of generation capacity. He said they will be located in Wichita (southwest) and Wilbarger (northeast) counties. Both are located within the north Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) zonal market.

"CWE provides a turnkey solution to Community Wind Energy Projects. CWE is the wind turbine supplier, project developer, construction contractor, equity investor, and long-term operations and maintenance project provider. We believe in the products we produce with our Community Wind Energy Projects Partners and, as such, desire to have an equity stake and involved role in the long-term success of each project," Carter said.

CWE, located at 5720 Seymour Highway, was established in 1976 and was one of the pioneers and longest surviving U.S. wind turbine manufacturers.