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Kansas Wind Projects - Case Studies

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Existing Kansas Wind Farms

(Projects are listed in order of commercial operation)

Westar Wind Farm

newWestar Wind Case Study - Please see the new format for this case study.

 

Gray County Wind Farm

Gray County, Kansas - Kansas' first large-scale wind farm was erected near the town of Montezuma by FPL Energy (now NextEra Energy Resources) in 2001. It produces 112.2 MW of electricity from 170 Vestas V-47 wind turbines. Power from this project was originally sold to Aquila, the Kansas portion of the utility was later purchased by the Mid-Kansas Electric Company. MKEC is owned by the same entity that owns Sunflower Electric Power Corp. (Photo © Scott W. White, 2001)

Specs

Turbine Make/Model: Vestas V47
Hub Height: 65 meters
Rotor Diameter: 47 meters
Number of Turbines: 170
Turbines Rated Capacity: 600 kw
Total Rated Capacity: 112.2 MW
(October 2012)


Gray County Wind Farm Energy Output*
Year MWh Capacity Factor
2002 419,268 42.7%
2003 364,288 37.1%
2004 355,797 36.2%
2005 349,976 35.6%
2006 314,069 32.0%
2007 351,640 35.8%
2008 400,330 40.7%
2009 352,955 35.9%
2010 363,860 37.0%
2011 357,411 36.4%
2012 289,551 29.5%
2013 70,460 7.2%
2014 138,714 14.1%
2015 293,526 29.9%
Average 313,639 31.9%

* Data compiled from EIA Form EIA-906, EIA-920, and EIA-923 Data


Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

Elk River Wind Farm

Butler County, Kansas - Kansas' largest wind farm at the time it was built, this 150 MW wind farm came on-line in December 2005.  A project of Elk River Wind Farm LLC of Larkspur, CA. HMH Energy Resources of Larkspur, Calif. and Greenlight Energy, Inc. of Charlottesville, Virginia  co-developed the project and sold it to PPM Energy, Inc. (Now Iberdrola Renewables) of Portland, OR.  The 100 GE 1.5 MW wind turbines are located several miles South of Beaumont. (Photos © Scott W. White, 2005)  Elk River Wind turbines

On Dec. 13, 2004, it was announced that Empire District Electric utility of Joplin, MO, had contracted with PPM Energy, Inc. to buy 150 MW of electricity from Elk River via a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA).

Originally, the Butler County Planning Commission approved the project 5-2 at their Jan. 7, 2003 meeting. The Butler County Commission approved the project, 3-2, at their Jan. 28 meeting. On Nov. 24, 2003, a judge ordered a new vote on the project after throwing out the County Commission's previous decision. On Dec. 16, 2003 the Commission took another vote and approved the project 3-2. (May 2006)

Elke River Wind farm under construction, Aug. 2005

 
Elk River Wind Farm Energy Output*
Year MWh Capacity
Factor
2006 526,295 40.1%
2007 495,081 37.7%
2008 572,593 43.6%
2009 560,194 42.6%
2010 511,219 38.9%
2011 598,122 45.5%
2012 572,146 43.5%
2013 547,522 41.7%
2014 567,081 43.2%
2015 509,352 38.8%
Average 545,960 41.5%

* Data compiled from EIA Form EIA-906, EIA-920, and EIA-923 Data

Spearville Wind Farm

Ford County, Kansas - A project of enXco that is 100.5 MW in size, located north of Hwy 50/56 near Spearville. The Ford Co. Zoning Board approved the project 5-0 on August 25, 2003. The Ford County Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit and development plan for the project on September 15, 2003. It was announced on December 13, 2005, that enXco would develop and construct the project and utility Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L) would own it. The project consists of 67 GE 1.5 MW wind turbines with construction beginning  in April 2006 and finished in September 2006 with the formal dedication in October 2006. (Aug. 31, 2006)

 
Spearville Wind Farm Energy Output*
Year MWh Capacity
Factor
2006** 105,939 Incomplete
2007 304,714 34.6%
2008 415,327 47.3%
2009 353,724 40.4%
2010 365,800 41.8%
2011 563,635 42.9%
2012 413,996 31.5%
2013+ 128,553 Incomplete
Average 350,722 39.8%

* Data compiled from EIA Form EIA-906, EIA-920, and EIA-923 Data
** Partial data, Aug. through Dec.
+Through April 2013.
2011 data and after includes the addition of 50 MW Spearville II.

Smoky Hills Wind Farm

Ellsworth/Lincoln Counties, Kansas - A project of Lenexa-based TradeWind Energy and Enel North America is located on the Ellsworth-Lincoln County line. The project involves more than 12,000 acres and could be expanded up to 20,000 acres. Phase I of this project went on-line in January 2008 using 56 Vestas V80 turbines (1.8 MW). Phase II went on-line later at the end of 2008 (commercially on-line in early 2009) with 99 GE 1.5 MW turbines. Total project size is around 250 MW. Smoky Hills wind farm, 2008

Buyers of the power from the project include Sunflower Electric of Hays, Midwest Energy (Hays) and Kansas City Board of Public Utilities. Roughly one-third of the turbines went off-line in Dec. 2008 after a transformer failed.  Upon replacement of the failed transformer in May 2009, the entire wind farm was back on-line. (Photo Credit: ©KEIN, 2008.)
(July 2009)

Smoky Hills Wind Farm Energy Output*
  Smoky Hills I Smoky Hills II
Year MWh Capacity Factor MWh Capacity Factor
2008 367,380 41.6% NA  
2009 254,388 28.8% 526,770 40.5%
2010 372,332 42.2% 554,306 42.6%
2011 369,911 41.9% 559,239 43.0%
2012 352,083 39.9% 487,664 37.5%
2013** 121,848 Incomplete 178,607 Incomplete
Average 360,400 40.8% 532,731 41.0%

* Data compiled from EIA Form EIA-906, EIA-920, and EIA-923 Data; Smoky Hills I came on-line in 2008 and Smoky Hills II came on-line in 2009.
**Through April 2013.

Meridian Way Wind Farm

Cloud County, Kansas - A project of Horizon Wind Energy (now EDP Renewables) of Houston, Texas. Phase I and Phase II of the project went on-line in 2008.  Both phases of the project involve Vestas V90 3.0 MW turbines.  Phase I involves 35 turbines and 105 MW, which is sold to Empire District Electric Co. of Joplin, Missouri via a 20-year PPA and Phase II involves 32 turbines and 96 MW of power sold to Westar Energy of Topeka. (March 2009)

Meridian Way Wind Farm Energy Output*
Year MWh Capacity
Factor
2008** 49,468 Incomplete
2009 496,696 28.2%
2010 591,491 33.6%
2011 587,438 33.4%
2012 597,746 33.9%
2013+ 219,532 Incomplete
Average 557,549 31.7%

* Data compiled from EIA Form EIA-906, EIA-920, and EIA-923 Data
** Partial data, for November and December only.
+Through April 2013.

Flat Ridge Wind Farm

Barber County, Kansas - A 100 MW wind project with possible expansion to 250 MW.  This project was developed by BP Wind Power and the first 100 MW has been contracted to Westar Energy with both BP and Westar each owning 50% of the project. Construction began in 2008 and commercial operation began in March 2009.  The wind farm consists of 40 Clipper 2.5 MW turbines.  There were some problems with the blades that required repair three months after commercial operation.  (October 2009)

 
Flat Ridge Wind Farm Energy Output*
Year MWh Capacity
Factor
2009** 167,116 Incomplete
2010 368,389 42.1%
2011 391,932 44.7%
2012+ 192,261 Incomplete
Average 288,345 32.9%

* Data compiled from EIA Form EIA-906, EIA-920, and EIA-923 Data
** Partial data, April through Dec.
+Through July 2012.

Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

Central Plains Wind Farm

Wichita County, Kansas - This project was originally proposed as the Sunflower Wind project in 2002-3 for 60-75 wind turbines by wind developer RES Americas and Sunflower Electric Power Corp. utility. In 2003, the KCC approved a 30 MW PPA between Sunflower and the Central Plains project (Docket 03-SEPE-459-ECA). This approval was later amended and Sunflower ultimately did not proceed with buying power from this project.  In July 2006, it was announced that the project was shelved. In 2007, it was announced that this project was to be built and sold to Westar Energy with construction slated for 2008 and operation for early 2009.  The project is 99 MW in size and uses 33 Vestas V90 (3.0 MW) turbines. (January 2013)

 
Central Plains Wind Farm Energy Output*
Year MWh Capacity
Factor
2009** 200,034 Incomplete
2010 296,511 34.2%
2011 294,992 34.0%
2012 294,332 33.9%
2013+ 100,741 Incomplete
Average 284,469 32.8%

* Data compiled from EIA Form EIA-906, EIA-920, and EIA-923 Data
** Partial data, April through Dec.
+Through April 2013.

Greensburg Wind Project

Kiowa County, Kansas - A 12.5 MW project of John Deere Renewables, the City of Greensburg, and the Kansas Power Pool. This project was announced in April 2009 and achieved commercial operation in 2010. Located due 3.5 miles southwest of Greensburg and laid out in a two-mile long row, this project is now owned by Exelon Corporation. (August 2012)

 
Greensburg Wind Farm Energy Output*
Year MWh Capacity
Factor
2010** 38,310 35.0%
2011 45,140 41.2%
2012 NA NA
2013 NA NA
Average 43,430 39.7%

* Data compiled from EIA Form EIA-906, EIA-920, and EIA-923 Data
** Partial data, does not include January.

Caney River Wind Project

Elk County, Kansas - A project developed by TradeWind Energy of Lenexa, KS and owned by Enel Green Power North America of Spain, the Caney River wind project is located 9 miles west of Howard. In October 2010 it was announced that 200 MW of power from this project would be sold to the Tennessee Valley Authority under a 20 year power purchase agreement.  Construction on this project began in May 2011 and interconnects with a 345 kV transmission line in Elk County. In total, the project will contain 111 Vestas V90 1.8-MW wind turbines, covering 14,000 acres. Total announced cost of the project is $350 million.  The project came on-line in December 2011.
(January 2012)

Spearville II Wind Project

Ford County, Kansas - KCPL added a 48-MW expansion at Spearville in 2010.  The expansion consists of 32 GE 1.5 MW turbines were constructed by mid-October, 2010. (October 2012)

Post Rock Wind Project

Ellsworth & Lincoln Counties, Kansas - This project was originally developed by Hilliard Energy, later bought and built by the Wind Capital Group, and in 2015 bought from WCG by Pattern Energy Group. The project will consist of 134 GE 1.5-82.5 wind turbines for a total of 201 MW. Construction began in in late 2011 by RMT and was completed in the fourth quarter of 2012. A 31-mile transmission line through Ellsworth, Lincoln and Rice counties is also part of the project, interconnecting to a substation in Rice County. Power from this wind farm will be purchased by Westar Energy via a 20 year PPA. The project will be spread over 23,000 acres and will generate $643,200 in payments in lieu of taxes annually for the first ten years to the counties general fund. (November 2012)

Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

Ironwood Wind project

Ford & Hodgeman Counties, Kansas - Infinity Wind Energy of Santa Barbara, California developed a project of up to 500 MW planned in NE corner of Ford County and extending into the SE corner of Hodgeman County. In early 2010, Westar Energy agreed to buy up to 500 MW, then issued and RFP to have the project built. In December 2010, Westar announced that Duke Energy Generation Services, a subsidiary of Duke Energy of Charlotte, N.C., will build a 168-megawatt wind farm on the Ironwood site. 
In August 2010, the project received Conditional Use Permits from the Ford County Commission.  In May 2011, Duke Energy announced they would use 73 Siemens 2.3 MW turbines, the nacelles of which will be manufactured in Hutchinson, Ks. Construction commenced on the project in late 2011 and the 167.9 MW phase I came on-line in October 2012. (October 2012)

Shooting Star Wind Project

Kiowa County, Kansas - A 105 MW project that was originally developed by Clipper Windpower Inc. of Carpinteria, CA, but was later owned by Infinity Wind Power of Santa Barbara, CA, which completed development and construction. This wind farm is now owned by Exelon. The project was first proposed as early as 2002, South of Mullinville with plans to use 42 of the 2.5 MW Clipper Windpower C-93 wind turbines. It apparently made the short list for Westar's Spring 2007 RFP, but ultimately was not selected.  In September 2011 Sunflower Electric announced they had agreed to a 20-year power purchase agreement with Infinity for 104 MW. The project at this point was designed with a layout for 65 GE 1.6 MW wind turbines.
The project came on-line in September 2012. (December 2012)

Spearville 3 wind project

Ford County, Kansas - This 100.8 MW wind farm was originally announced by enXco (now EDF Renewables). EDF entered into a 20 year PPA with Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L) of Kansas City, Mo., with the project that consists of 72 GE 1.6 xle wind turbines. Construction commenced in Q1 2012 came on-line in October 2012. The wind farm was dedicated on October 25, 2012.

In March 2012, it was announced that enXco had reached agreement on a PILOT with Ford County that would begin with a payment of $253,459 in 2013 and ending with a payment of $614,341 in 2042.  The PILOT will continue beyond 2042 with a 3.1% annual escalator if the project is still operational.

In January 2013, it was announced that EDF sold a 40% interest in Spearville 3 to Japanese developer Eurus Energy and 40% to investment group BlackRock. EDF retains the other 20% and will continue to provide long-term service and maintenance to the project. (January 2013)

CPV Cimarron REC Wind project

Gray County, Kansas - CPV Renewable Energy agreed to a 20 year power purchase agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority for 165 MW from the Cimarron Wind project.  In January 2012, it was announced that CPV had secured $262.8 million financing from Coordinating Lead Arrangers Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ and Union Bank of California as well as Mandated Lead Arrangers Helaba, Siemens Financial Services and Lloyds for Cimarron I. The project was constructed by Wanzak Construction and is operated by North American Energy Services. This project reached commercial operation in November 2012. In October 2012, it was announced that CPV Renewables sold Cimarron I to NextEra Energy Resources.  (November 2012)

 In May 2011 it was announced that KCP&L will purchase an additional 131 MW from a portion of this wind farm they're calling Cimarron II. Construction began in Fall 2011 and the project came on-line in late Summer 2012. When fully developed, the entire wind farm is capable of producing up to 500 MW. (July 2011) (Photo © and courtesy of CPV, November 2012) 

Ensign Wind project

Gray County, Kansas - The 98.9 MW Ensign wind near the town of Ensign in eastern Gray County is a project of NextEra Energy Resources. This wind farm being operating at the end of November 2012.  NextEra has agreed on a PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) to Gray County amounting to $2,400 per installed MW. All power from this project will be purchased by KCP&L under a long-term contract. (December 2012)

Flat Ridge 2 Wind Projects

Baber, Harper, Kingman, & Sumner Counties, Kansas - In October 2011, BP Wind announced plans to build the Flat Ridge 2 wind farm, the state's largest wind farm, in 2012. The 419 MW project consists of 262 GE 1.6-100 wind turbines and span 66,000 acres in Barber, Harper, Kingman and Sumner counties. Associated Electric Cooperative is buying 3/4 of the power and Southwestern Electric Power Co the rest. 

In January 2012, BP announced it had secured financing through Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, a subsidiary of San Diego-based Sempra Energy, for this wind farm and another in Pennsylvania. Sempra will own 50% of the project.  (December 2012)

Buffalo Dunes County Wind Project

Haskell, Grant & Finney County, Kansas - This is a 250 MW project of Lenexa, Kansas-based TradeWind Energy. This project first entered the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) queue for a feasibility study in December 2009 with a proposed on-line date of October 2012 and at a size of 100.5 MW. This study was later withdrawn and in 2010 a new study request entered the SPP queue for 300 MW.  The Facility Study for this project was released in June 2011.

In September 2012 it was announced that regulators with the Alabama Public Service Commission had approved TradeWind's power purchase agreement with Alabama Power Co. beginning in 2014.  The total capacity being sold to APC was not reported, nor whether the agreement was contingent on renewal of the PTC. Reports in April 2013 noted that GE Financial Services will help finance the project and GE wind turbines will be used. An on-line date of Dec. 2013 is anticipated.

The project plans to have it's own substation in Grant County and interconnect with the Finney Switchyard substation near Holcomb. A Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement between TradeWind Energy and Finney County will pay the county about $500 per megawatt per year with a 2% annual escalator for ten years, for turbines located in that county. According to news sources, the PILOT in Grant and Haskell counties will pay around $3,750 per MW per year. As of October 2013, over 90 of the wind turbines have been erected on-site and the wind farm is expected to be energized in early December.
(October 2013)

Buckeye Wind Energy Project

Ellis County, Kansas - This 200 MW project of Invenergy is located North of Hays, between Hays and Ellis on 28,000 acres of private land.  In November 2010, the wind developer, along with dozens of landowners, filed suit against Ellis County, due to restrictive setbacks. This lawsuit was dismissed by plaintiffs in April 2011 when the county revised the setbacks. In October 2012, the Ellis County Planning and Zoning commissioners unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a 60 meter meteorological tower on the east side of Hyacinth Avenue between Buckeye and Severin roads, north of Hays. Another met tower is already operating for this project, nearly six miles away. This project is in the process of seeking a CUP, which will be necessary before it can land a PPA. On May 22, the Ellis County Joint Planning Commission voted 9-0 to approve the project's development plan. A 14-day protest period ends June 5, after which the County Commission can approve, disprove, or make changes to the permit. In September 2013, Invenergy submitted a layout of 100 turbines (80 meter hub height with 110 meter rotor diameters) to the FAA for an aeronautical study, the results of which came back in November 2013.

Construction began on the project in early 2014 which qualified the project for the production tax credit under the 2013 I.R.S. Safe Harbor provision. In December 2014 it was announced that Lincoln Electric Systems (LES) planned to purchase 73 MW of this project. In December 2015, the wind farm was officially commissioned. This project uses 112 GE 1.7 MW wind turbines, with a rotor diameter of 100 meters. A donation agreement between the wind farm and the city will include $600,000 for each of the first two years, increasing to $800,000 for the third year, and increasing 1% annually after that.
(May 2016)

Waverly Wind Project

Coffey County, Kansas - In the Fall of 2008, two 100.8 MW wind projects applied for interconnection with SPP (one of which was later withdrawn) with three other projects of 102 MW projects applying for interconnection in Fall 2009 located near the town of Waverly. These three applications were later withdrawn. Another 100.8 MW project filed for interconnection in 2010 and is still on schedule.  It is likely these are all part of the same project of EDP Renewables (formerly Horizon Wind Energy), a Spanish company that has a U.S. headquarters in Houston, TX. In 2010, Horizon Wind applied for permits from the Federal Aeronautical Administration (FAA) for 200 wind turbines. In January 2014, it was announced that KCP&L, a large utility based in Kansas City, Missouri, signed a 20-year PPA for 200 MW of wind from EDP Renewables' Coffey County project (as well as a 200 MW project in Holt Co., MO), starting in 2016. In July 2014, it was announced that Gamesa Wind would supply 95 G114-2.0MW turbines to the project. (July 2014)

newCedar Bluff Wind Farm

Ness & Trego Counties, Kansas - In December 2012, the Cedar Bluff wind project by NextEra Energy Resources of Juno Beach, Florida received a determination of no hazard to air traffic by the FAA for much of their project (not all turbine locations were checked). This project is located in northern Ness County and southern Trego County. In December 2014, it was announced that Westar Energy had signed a 20 year PPA to purchase power from Cedar Bluffs and the power was expected to be delivered by the end of 2015.

Around March of 2009, a 199.5 MW project was being studied for Ness County in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) queue.  This project (#GEN-2009-008) entered  with a proposed on-line date of September 2009. The Impact Assessment for this project was fully executed and as of 2009 the project was in suspension (awaiting a PPA, financing or other greenlight to build). The Point of Interconnection (POI) for this project was slated for the South Hays 230 kV interchange in Ness County. In 2012, a 200 MW wind project entered the SPP queue in 2012 (#GEN-2012-011) and by December of that year had reached the Facility Study Stage. It's not known whether these two studies were for the same project or different ones. (December 2014)

Slate Creek Wind Farm

Sumner County, Kansas - In the summer of 2014 it was announced that Great Plains Energy, the parent company of KCP&L had signed a 20-year PPA to buy power from the 150 MW project Slate Creek Wind Farm. This project, developed by EDF Renewables of San Diego, CA, is spread across 17,000 acres around 50 miles south of Wichita near Geuda Springs, KS, along the Cowley-Sumner county line and consists of 75 Vestas V110-2.0 MW turbines. Mortenson Construction handled the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) and began construction around May 2015, completing the project by Dec. 2015.  (May 2016)

Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

Kansas Wind Projects Under Construction

Marshall Wind Energy LLC

Marshall County, Kansas - In 2009, this project of RPMA Access of West Des Moines, Iowa applied for interconnection with SPP for a 91 MW project with a proposed on-line date of December 2012. The interconnection agreement with Westar and SPP took effect in mid-2011, though it wasn't until September 2013, that RPMA signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC) for 20 MW, Kansas Power Pool and the City of Independence in Missouri’s Department of Power and Light for the balance. In December 2013, it was announced that construction had commenced on a 72 MW project with the balance of power (54 MW) to be marketed to other utilities. Mortenson Construction will provide the balance-of-plant (BOP) design and construction management activities. The wind farm will feature Vestas V110-2.0 MW wind turbines. Vestas has a 20 year service agreement with RPMA and expects the project to be operational by May 2016.

At least three wind developers originally showed interest in Marshall County with  RPMA eventually installing a Met Tower near Summerfield.  (May 2016)

Western Plains wind project

Ford County, Kansas - Infinity Wind Power of Santa Barbara, CA received a conditional use permit from the Ford County Commission in September 2011 to develop the first 200 MW phase of the Western Plains wind farm. This CUP was extended for another year in October 2012. This project will be located in northeastern Ford County in Wheatland Township, north and east of Bellefont. IWF has locked down land leases for 36,000 acres project and notes that future expansion could push the project toward 750 MW and into Hodgeman and Edwards Counties.

The Wichita Eagle and other news sources reported in February 2014 that  400 MW of this project was under construction and qualified for the production tax credit under the 2013 I.R.S. Safe Harbor provision. In Dec. 2015, it was announced that Westar Energy was purchasing 280 MW from this project and Siemens will provide the turbines. (December 2015)

newNinnescah Wind Energy Project

Pratt County, Kansas - Originally a project of BP Wind and later purchased by NextEra Energy Resources of Juno Beach, Florida. Located in the Southeast corner of the county, plans are for the wind farm to produce 150 MW and contain 65-95 wind turbines.  In May 2015, it was announced that Westar Energy would purchase up to 200 MW of power from this project, which will be completed in 2016 and cost around $300 million.

In Jan. 2013, there appeared to be some local opposition to this project. In March, 2013, BP Wind withdrew the application due to zoning regulations that require more project details then are necessarily nailed down prior to receiving the Special Use Permit. The wind developer asked that the regulations be re-written to be more similar to neighboring counties and to allow some flexibility in things such as turbine type to be used - an aspect of the project that is often decided late in the process. In August 2013, BP Wind re-filed their application - starting from scratch - after previous issues had been resolved. In October 2013, the Pratt County Commission unanimously approved the permit. (June 2015)

updatedCimarron Bend Wind Project

Clark County, Kansas - TradeWind Energy of Lenexa, KS lists the Cimarron Bend Wind Project as 600 MW on their project description (see below). In 2008, a 1,000 MW wind projects applied for interconnection with the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). The request was later withdrawn. Originally, this project had a proposed on-line date of 2012. 
In April 2016, it was announced that a 400 MW version of this project would be built with 200 MW of power sold to Kansas City Board of Public Utilities. The other 200 MW will be sold to Google via PPA.
This project will be constructed and owned by Enel Green Power of North America. In September, it was announced that Enel had secured $500 million tax equity agreement from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan and MetLife. The cash is in exchange for 100% of 'class B' membership interests in the project. Enel retains 100% ownership of 'class A' membership interests and management control of the project.
The 200 MW Cimarron I is expected to be commissioned in November 2016, while the 200 MW Cimarron II wind farm should be operating by January 2017.
(September 2016)

Bloom Wind Power Project

Clark & Ford Counties, Kansas - In October 2012, Norvento USA, of Boston, Mass., a subsidiary of Norvento of Lugo, Spain, received a determination on multiple potential turbine locations from the FAA and informed the Ford County commission that they planned to apply for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in the summer of 2013. In June 2013, Norvento followed through and applied for a CUP for a 180 MW wind farm spread over 11,500 acres and includes 32 landowners, around 20 miles south of Dodge City. 

In May 2016, it was announced that the current owners of this project, Capital Power Corporation of Edmonton, Alberta had placed a "firm and unconditional order" for 54 Vestas V117-3.3 MW wind turbines for a total rated capacity of 178 MW.

In November 2016, it was announced that Microsoft had entered into a 10 year PPA for 178 MW from this wind farm. It will power a data center in Cheyenne, Wyoming.(May 2016)

newKingman Wind Energy Center

Kingman County, Kansas - The Kingman Wind Energy Center is a 200 MW wind project located in Kingman County and developed by NextEra Energy Resources. Westar Energy (170 MW) and McPherson BPU (30 MW) are the off-takers of the power.  The official ground-breaking for this project took place on July 12, 2016.

Benefits to the county includes, a one-time payment to the county of $2.2 million to cover various permits and other expenses, $800,000 a year for the first 20 years and $700,000 annually after that as long as the wind farm is operating, presumably as a payment in lieu of taxes. There is also an agreement in place for the wind farm to pay the county $500,000 to resurface the first 10 miles of 14.3 miles of paved roads that will be used to transport equipment and $175,000 for every mile after that.
(October 2016)

Kansas Wind Projects with PPAs

Alexander Wind Project

Rush County, Kansas - This project is rated at 48 MW and was developed by Own Energy from Brooklyn, NY, though it was later sold to New Jersey Resources, who will invest $85 million to construct, own, and operate the project. FAA obstruction evaluation permits were applied for in 2011 for 33 turbine locations. News reports indicate that this project will use Siemens wind turbines and has qualified for the production tax credit under the 2013 I.R.S. Safe Harbor provision. In late Feb. 2014, it was announced that Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) signed a 20-year PPA for 25 MW of power from this project. It's expected that this project will be producing power by October 2015. In October 2014, it was announced that Yahoo! will purchase the remainder of the power. (October 2014)

  

 

Proposed Kansas Wind Projects

(Projects are listed alphabetically by county)

Deer Creek Wind Project

Anderson County, Kansas - A 200 MW proposed project of TradeWind Energy of Lenexa, KS. This project is located in Southeastern Anderson County.  There has been no reported activity on this project for several years and it is likely this project is inactive or even non-viable. (January 2014)

newAnderson County Wind Project

Anderson County, Kansas - Calpine Corp. of Houston, TX received a determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation from the FAA for a met tower near Garnet. The application was filed in June 2016.  (September 2016)

Barton County Wind Projects

Barton County, Kansas - Two projects are proposed in Barton County, one for 150 MW and the other for 199.5 MW - both with a proposed on-line date of September 2011. Both projects are in the SPP interconnection queue. No other details are currently known. (March 2009)

Leon Wind Project

Butler County, Kansas - A proposed joint project of Kansas Wind Power LLC (now TradeWind Energy), a Kansas-based company with offices in Lawrence and Overland Park, and Padoma Wind Power of La Jolla, CA. The plan was for 68 wind turbines to be located 3.5 miles south of Leon, 30 miles east of Wichita. Butler County Planning Commission approved the project 6-0. The County Commission denied permission for this project, 4-1. A lawsuit was filed to challenge this decision, though by 2005, it appears this project is dead. (2006)

Rosalia Wind Project

Butler County, Kansas - A proposed 73 turbine project of Zilkha Renewable Energy (now Horizon Wind Energy) to be located East of Rosalia, on either side of US-54. The project proposal  was withdrawn and is currently on hold and probably dead. (2006)

Chase County Wind Project

Chase County, Kansas - A project of FPL Energy of Juno Beach, FL. Few details of the project were reported, though the project was originally planned to be built in Southern Chase County as early as Fall 2004.  This project is located in Gov. Sebelius' "Heart of the Flint Hills" area, and is presumably dead until a new administration is in office. See the September 2 newspaper article in the Chase County Leader-News (PDF - 1.7 MB) for more. The Oct. 4, 2004 Wichita Eagle reported that FPL had shelved the plans for this project. (2005)

As of 2013, nothing more has been heard about this project. It seems extremely unlikely that this project is viable at all. (February 2013)

Cheyenne County Wind Project

Cheyenne County, Kansas - A project of Sunflower Wind LLC, which is proposing a 50 MW wind farm with 4-megawatt hydrogen generation plant and a 5- to 25-MW methane-powered generator to provide power when the wind isn't blowing. Sunflower Wind also has projects near Oberlin and Sharon Springs, KS. (August 25, 2007)
Due to years of inactivity and rumored legal issues with Sunflower Wind, it is unlikely that this project is still viable. (Jan. 2014)

newClark County Wind Project

Clark County, Kansas - In 2011, a 180 MW project for Clark County entered the SPP interconnection queue with a proposed on-line date of Oct 2014. This project is most likely a separate project than the Cimarron Bend project of TradeWind Energy. Nothing more is known about this project at this time. (January 2014)

Elk River II Wind Project

Cowley and Elk Counties, Kansas - Originally proposed by Greenlight Energy, Inc. of Charlottesville, Virginia, the project was later acquired by BP Alternative Energy, which bought out Greenlight. The project had the potential for as many as 167 wind turbines generating up to 300 MW of electricity with two-thirds of the turbines in Cowley County and the rest in Elk County. However, Gov. Sam Brownback's designation of the Flint Hills "Tallgrass Heartland" in 2011, included this area and effectively killed the project. KEIN has heard from sources in the know that this project is no longer viable. (Jan. 2014)

Decatur County wind project

Decatur County, Kansas - A project of Sunflower Wind was proposed 50 MW of wind power to the City of Oberlin on a Right of First Refusal basis in Aug. 2007. An additional 5 MW of hydrogen power and 5-25 MW of methane back-up generation was also proposed. Power was offered to the City of Oberlin at 9.1 cents per kwh over 20 years in a contract that was to replace the city's contract with Sunflower Electric (not related to Sunflower Wind). The city considered the offer, but ultimately rejected it by the end of Dec. 2007. Due to years of activity and rumored legal troubles for Sunflower Wind, it is likely that this project is no longer viable.  (January 2014)

newDiamond Vista Wind Project

Dickinson, Marion, McPherson, Morris and Saline Counties, Kansas - TradeWind Energy of Lenexa, KS has been measuring wind speeds and acquiring land in the Northwest corner of Marion County. (September 2016)

updatedDouglas County Wind project

Douglas County, Kansas - In December 2013, new reports noted that NextEra Energy Resources of Juno Beach, Florida, is in the "very early stages" of  looking at southern Douglas County as a possible location for a new wind farm. Multiple landowners have been contacted in an area between U.S. Highway 59 and the town of Overbrook in Osage County. NextEra would like to put up at least two meteorological towers to test wind speeds in this area. In reaction to this news, the Douglas County Commission issued a moratorium on wind farm development until Aril 2014, despite the fact that NextEra is at least a couple years away from applying for any type of wind turbine related permits. At the same time, one landowner has already announced he'll do his "level best to keep (NextEra) out of Douglas County".  In February 2014, the county commission allowed the met tower conditional use permit (CUP) applications to go forward.
As of April 2016, the county continued to struggle with this issue.
(April 2016)

Williwaw Kinsley Wind Farm

Edwards County, Kansas - Disgen Development Services of Lakewood, CO is developing a wind farm in eastern Edwards County that could contain as many as 49 wind turbines and generate up to 73 MW of power. A feasibility study was requested for the project in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) in the Summer of 2011 (Study #GEN-2011-038). Filings with the FAA for air navigation obstruction evaluation also took place in this time frame. This project has a proposed on-line date of December 2013. (Oct. 2012)

Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

Hays Wind Project

Ellis County, Kansas - Originally, a proposed 100-200 MW project of Distributed Generation Systems, Inc. (DISGEN) of Evergreen, Colorado, which was bought out by CPV Wind, and later bought out by Iberdrola Renewable Energies USA of Spain. This project has run into some controversy in Ellis County (see news below), but the project appears to still be viable. The project received a Conditional Use Permit in April 2010 and has been marketing the project to utilities.

In May 2009, Hays Wind LLC entered into a PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) agreement that pays the county $3,000/MW for the first two years of operation and $4,000/MW annually after that, with an escalator. (April 2011)

NE Ellis County Wind Project

Ellis County, Kansas - A project of TradeWind Energy. This project is early in the process and going through zoning to install Met Towers. Plans are for at least 150 MW.
(January 2009)

Butterfield Wind Project

Ellis County, Kansas - The Butterfield wind project is located in Southwest Ellis County and is organized by the Bannister Brothers, on behalf of area landowners.
(April 2011)

Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

newEllsworth Co Wind Project

Ellworth, Rice, Russell, Barton, & McPherson Counties, Kansas - In 2010, Air Stream Energy installed five met towers operating in southern Ellsworth County near the towns of Geneseo, Lorraine and Frederick. In Oct. 2011, it was announced that this project was purchased from Air Stream by the Wind Capital Groupof St. Louis, Missouri. No more information is known about this project currently. (January 2013)

Finney County Wind Project

Finney County, Kansas - A 405 MW project is being studied in Finney County. This project entered the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) queue for a feasibility study in early 2008 with a proposed on-line date of December 2012. This may be a project of Chermac Energy of Oklahoma, which is studying a large project in southern Finney County. No further information is known at this time. This project has been rumored to be no longer active. (March 2010)

Western Trail Wind project

Ford and Kiowa Counties, Kansas - A 400 MW project of Horizon Wind Energy located south of Bucklin.  Phase I of the project received a Conditional Use Permit from Ford County in 2008, though this CUP has since expired. They are expected to reapply for a CUP at a later date.  This project will be located in Ford and Kiowa Counties. (November 2012)

Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

newElement Power Ford County wind project

Ford County, Kansas - In 2012, it was noted in the Ford County Administrator's Report that Element Power of Portland, OR planned to apply for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in summer 2013 for a wind project located north of Ford County Lake.  In April 2013, the Administrator's Report noted that Element Power had removed all of their MET towers. The viability of this project is not known at this time.  (July 2013)

newPioneer Creek wind project

Ford County, Kansas - In January, 2013, it was announced that Infinity Wind Power of Santa Barbara, CA had purchased the Pioneer wind project from Clipper Windpower. This wind project is located near Dodge City. According to FAA filings, this project is located near the town of Wright. (September 2016)

Geary County Wind Ranch

Geary County, Kansas - This 150 MW project of Distributed Generation Systems, Inc. (DISGEN) of Evergreen, Colorado was first proposed in 2005.  This project is in the "Heart of the Flint Hills" area, as designated by Topeka politicos.  It's extremely unlikely that this project is still viable. (February 2013)

Ringneck Prairie Wind Project

Graham County, Kansas - Nordex USA is studying a possible 100 MW project in Graham County. In December 2009, a 100 MW project entered the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) queue for a feasibility study with a proposed on-line date of January 2011. This is likely the same project.

This project is unique, in that the Graham County Economic Development got the project rolling by first publishing a high-resolution wind map then took bids for a company to do the "pre-development".  TSteele Construction won the pre-development bid and worked to sign up land and erect met towers.  Nordex USA was later chosen as the developer and they are working to market the project and find power purchase agreements. In May 2013, Nordex received Conditional Use Permits (CUP) for the project from Graham County. Days later, Nordex announced that they plan for construction to being in Fall 2013 and details of the Donation Agreement with county were release ($150,000 one time payment, followed by $3,000 per Megawatt annually). 28 2.5-MW turbines are planned on the 15,000 acre site, which is located around six miles south of Hill City, KS along U.S. Hwy. 283.  (May 2013)

Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

newSanta Fe Trail wind project

Gray, Ford, & Finney Counties, Kansas - Formerly known as the Zephyr Wind Power LLC of Cimarron, Kansas, this project was purchased by Infinity Wind Power of Santa Barbara, CA and renamed the Santa Fe Trail Wind. In July 2012, Infinity Wind submitted zoning certificates to Ford County for two MET towers in Royal Township.  In January 2012, a Ford County landowner informed County officials that Zephyr Wind planned to stop payment on current wind leases, though by July it had new ownership.  (November 2012)

Bear Creek Wind Project

Hamilton County, Kansas - A 135 MW project is being studied in Hamilton County by Acciona Energy. This project entered the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) queue for a feasibility study in March 2007 and has an expected on-line date of November 2008. The Interconnection Agreement for this project is fully executable and the project is considered on schedule according to the SPP queue. Also, the Hamilton County Commissioners have approved this project. (October 2009)

Hodgeman County Wind Project

Hodgeman County, Kansas - A 200.1 MW wind project entered the SPP queue in April 2010. This project could be affiliated with the Ironwood wind project (see Ford & Hodgeman Counties) or an independent one.  Nothing more is known about this project at this time. (April 2010)

newHarvest Moon Wind Project

Kearney County, Kansas - A wind project near Lakin that oculd have as many as 175 wind turbines. This project was listed in a Department of Defense document of wind farms that had no objection from the DoD.   Nothing more is known about this project at this time. (September 2012)

ReadingWind Project

Lyon & Osage County, Kansas - In 2008, RES Americas first began looking at a project in east Lyon County, south and west of Reading, that will encompass up to 25,000 acres and produce as much as 250 MW of power. This project was put on hold in 2011 and was restarted in 2015. The company has erected two meteorological towers and will be completing a year-long study of wind conditions in Spring 2017. Depending on the type of wind turbine used, there will be between 60-100 towers. While there doesn't appear to be a PPA in hand, the company may begin building roads and digging some holes by the end of 2016 to qualify for a property tax exemption. Company leaders informed Osage County that if they do qualify for the state property tax exemption (the length of which begins with projects starting construction after 2017), the donation agreement with the counties will be larger. (June 2016)

Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

Doyle North 1 & 2 Wind Project

Marion County, Kansas - Windborne Energy of rural Florence, KS proposes two projects in Marion County. Doyle North 1, which received a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the Marion County Commission in November 2010, could see up to 79 turbines and 200 MW. Doyle North 2 will be located mostly west and southwest of the original project and will have room for 20 turbines and up to 60 MW. The Marion County Planning Commission approved this project in Sept. 2011 and the County Commission approved a conditional use permit on Oct. 10, 2011. A payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) was approved that is equivalent to $4000 per MW installed.
To date, no power purchase agreement has been announced and there is no date for construction. (October 2011)

 

Eagle Rock Wind Farm

McPherson County, Kansas - A proposed project of Gamesa Energía Southwest, an Austin, Texas based subsidiary of the Spanish Company Gamesa Energía. The project is planned for the Northeastern part of the county and could be between 100-150 MW. McPherson County passed wind turbine siting guidelines in Nov. 2005, which are available here. These guidelines were later revised. This project met more than a little controversy in 2005-2006 and it's current viability is not currently known, though it's likely dead. (March 2009)

Cimarron Wind Project

Meade & Seward Counties, Kansas - Tulsa-based Energy for Generations and California-based Sustainable Legacy are working on a project that could be as much as 1,000 MW large in the NE part of Seward County with some turbines in Meade County. This project received approval by the Seward County Administration in April 2010 and received a Conditional Use Permit in June 2010. This same CUP was granted a one-year extension in May 2012 by the Seward County Commission.

Plans as of 2010 were for the project to have 400 2.5 MW turbines. In May 2012, project representatives stated that they hoped to begin construction in 2014-15

In late 2008, an 800 MW project applied for interconnection through the Southwest Power Pool in Seward County. It's not known if the is the same project. In Spring 2010, a 900 MW wind project filed for interconnection with SPP, which is likely the same as referenced above.  (October 2012)

Munkers Creek Windfarm

Morris Counties, Kansas - A 100-200 MW project proposed by juwi Wind (formerly JW Prairie Wind Power LLC) near Alta Vista. The Wabaunsee County Commission issued a decision on June 28, 2004 that effectively prevented construction of wind farms in the county.  This project also fell within the "Heart of the Flint Hills" (PDF, 1.7 MB)  area, where Governor Kathleen Sebelius' discouraged wind farm development as well as Gov. Brownbacks "Tallgrass Heartland" area, that expanded the area in the Flint Hills area that strongly discourages wind energy development.  This project is effectively dead.  (Sept. 2011)

Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

Nemaha County Wind Project

Nemaha County, Kansas - A 129 MW project of juwi Wind (formerly JW Prairie Wind Power LLC) in Nemaha County. This project entered the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) queue for a feasibility study in March 2007. Plans are to use 86 GE 1.5 MW turbines. (July 2009)

Burnt Grass Wind Project

Nemaha County, Kansas - This is a proposed project of Air Stream Energy in Nemaha County. As of 2010 this project was proposed for an area down near Seneca. Nothing more is known about the project at this time. (March 2013)

Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

Pioneer Wind Project

Pawnee County, Kansas - A 76 MW project is being studied in Pawnee County by Pacific Winds Energy. No further information is known at this time.  In 2009, a 72 MW wind project entered the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) queue for Pawnee County, but was later withdrawn.  In 2010, a 180 MW project entered the SPP queue, which may be a combined project with the Revolution Wind project listed below.  This study (#GEN-2010-061) is still active and in the PISIS stage as of the date below.
No further information is known about this project at this time. (Sept. 2011)

Revolution Wind Project

Pawnee County, Kansas - A 105 MW project is being studied in Pawnee County by Pacific Winds Energy. This project entered the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) queue for a feasibility study in 2008. No further information is known at this time. (Nov. 2008)

newPratt Wind Project

Pratt County, Kansas - NextEra Energy Resources of Juno Beach, Florida is working on a wind farm in Pratt County that could be as large as 220 MW. This project has cleared the Pratt County Planning and Zoning Board and now awaits final approval by the County Commission on Dec. 12, 2016. The project plans include 104 wind turbines, each rated at 2.1 MW. The total project area will encompass 40,000 acres in Pratt County. 

Further, it's been reported that the total cost of this project is planned for $313 million and will have 10-20 full time positions upon operation. (Dec. 2016)

Pratt County Wind Project

Pratt County, Kansas - A 150 MW wind project is being studied in Pratt County. This is probably a project of Indeck Energy, which is planning to develop a wind energy farm in Pratt County but will likely move the location after running into some airspace issues with the Pratt Airport Authority. In April 2012, Indeck Energy terminated their leases when the Pratt County Commission refused to meet demands to change whole sections of a proposed zoning ordinance relating to wind energy projects. This project is no longer considered viable. (Jan. 2014)

 		   

Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

Rawlins County Wind Project

Rawlins County, Kansas - A 467.5 MW project is being developed in Rawlins County by Danken Energy (DKE) of Pensacola, Florida. This project entered the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) queue for a feasibility study in October 2009, completed and passed preliminary interconnect system impact study and is entering into its Definitive study. DKE has completed its’ wind data assessment requirements as well all FAA, DOT and County requirements. Additional power purchase agreements to complete this facility are currently being sought.
(March 2010)

Reno County Wind Project

Reno County, Kansas - Horizon Wind Energy recently announced that they were abandoning a 100 MW project in Southeastern Reno County near Cheney Reservoir. They cited that they could not compete with other forms of land-use, particularly new housing developments. (July 2010)

British Pastures Wind Project

Riley County, Kansas - A proposed project of Orion Energy of Oakland, CA. Many of Orion Energy's project's were sold to BP Energy, though the status of this one is unknown by KEIN.  The project is planned in SE Riley County and was subjected to a moratorium on wind farm applications in Riley County through Oct. 7, 2004. Having weathered that, perhaps, it has failed to gain any traction since the Governor's "Heart of the Flint Hills" ruling, which includes this project by 5-10 miles.

Rooks County Wind Projects

Rooks County, Kansas - A 50 MW project has applied for interconnection in Rooks County in 2009 with a proposed on-line date of July 2011. This is a project of ICG Aeolian Energy a subsidiary of ICG Properties, a Washington DC based Real Estate Development Firm. In the Spring of 2008 the company installed three meteorological towers southwest of Stockton. As of June 2009, after a year of data collection, the average wind speed for this site was determined to be 7.4 m/s. In June 2012, this project filed for an obstruction determination with the FAA and received a determination in October 2012 that included a "petition" for the case. On the ICG Aeolian web-site, the company noted they planned to have this project on-line by June 2011. As of January 2014 it is not clear whether this continues to be an active project. (January 2014)

Rush County Wind Project

Rush County, Kansas - Two wind projects (other than the Alexander Wind project) have been proposed in Rush County.  EDP Renewables of Madrid, Spain received determinations from the FAA for 64 turbine locations in May 2013 and a 19.5 MW project requested a feasibility study for interconnection with the  Southwest Power Pool (SPP) queue in April 2009. The request for this project was later withdrawn. Later in 2009, three separate 102 MW project requested feasibility studies (these are likely the same project with possibly three phases).

In June 2016, EDP filed for an FAA determination for met towers in Rush County near the Pawnee County line. They received a determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation. No further information is known at this time.  (September 2016)

CPV Keystone REC Wind Project

Scott County, Kansas - CPV Renewable Energy of Braintree, Mass. notes on it's web-site that the CPV Keystone REC project may be as large as 500 MW. In 2008, four projects applied for interconnection with the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) with project sizes of 300 MW, two 161 MW projects, and 179 MW. It's not known by KEIN which of these SPP submissions are the CPV project and which are for either the Van Gogh or TradeWind projects (see below).

In September 2013, CPV submitted a layout of 59 turbines to the FAA for an aeronautical study. In November 2013, the FAA released their determination for this project. (November 2013)

Van Gogh Wind Project

Scott County, Kansas - A 60 MW project is being studied in Scott County by Pacific Winds Energy. No further information is known at this time. (Sept. 2011)

Wildcat Flats Wind Project

Scott County, Kansas - A project is being studied in western Scott County in Beaver Twp near the town of Pence by TradeWind Energy of Lenexa, KS. A layout for over 200 wind turbines was submitted to the FAA in March 2013 and received determinations in June. (July 2013)

Williwaw Wind Project

Seward County, Kansas - In October 2011, the Seward County Commission granted a Conditional Use Permit to Williwaw Wind Development on behalf of Disgen Development Services to install a 197 foot, guyed meteorological tower.  The tower was to be located in the Southeast Quarter of Section 26, Township 33 South, and Range 34 West. No further information is known of this project at this time. (Oct. 2012)

Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

Sherman County Community Wind Project

Sherman County, Kansas - ReNewable Energy Resources, a wind energy development company out of Tennessee, announced in Feb. 2005, that they would build a 10-turbine, 6 MW wind project 10 miles southwest of Goodland using NEPC India wind turbines. Originally, this project was scheduled to break ground in Summer 2005 and be completed by November with the City of Goodland purchasing some of the power and a group of irrigators purchasing the rest. However, due to delays the size of the project was downgraded to 4 turbines generating 3 MW for the city of Goodland by Summer 2006 using wind turbines from Denmark. Seeing that 2006 is but a memory and this project is still not built, it's not known what the prospects are for this project and whether those Danish turbines are still sitting on a dock in Texas. (March 2009)

Sherman County Wind Project

Sherman County, Kansas - Several wind projects are in various stages of study in Sherman County.  An 81 MW wind farm is being proposed for Sherman County, southwest of the city of Goodland by Competitive Power Ventures of Lakewood, Colorado.  This project was unsuccessful in a response to the Sunflower Electric RFP, that was issued in August 2006.  Many of CPV's projects were bought out by Iberdrola in 2007(see Ellis County Wind), so this may be an Iberdrola project now. Originally proposed for an on-line date of Aug. 2008, this project has a fully executed Interconnection Agreement and is on Suspension. (Oct. 2009)

Another  project, size unknown, is proposed by Airstream Energy in the Western part of the County.  A third project is being studied by TGP-Flying Cloud holdings along the Colorado border. The proposed on-line date of these projects is not known. (March 2010)

Smith County Wind Project

Smith County, Kansas - A 300 MW project applied for interconnection with the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) in mid-2008 (GEN-2008-055) for Smith County, with an on-line date of November 2011. This project is rumored to be developed by Air Stream Energy, though this has not been confirmed. This request was later withdrawn. In early 2011, a 200 MW project entered the SPP queue (GEN-2011-001) but was also later withdrawn. No other information is known about the project at this time. (October 2012)

Conestoga Winds

Stevens County, Kansas - A project of HMH Energy Resources of Larkspur, CA that was first proposed as early as 2005. The project has been proposed for up to 200 MW. Of this, 50 MW were proposed to Springfield City Utilities in an October 2005 RFP. Not much else is known at this time. It's been several years since any information has been released about this project and it is likely the project is no longer viable.

newWilliwaw Moscow Wind Farm

Stevens County, Kansas - Disgen Development Services of Lakewood, CO is developing a project up to 59 turbines along the Stevens and Grant County line. In March 2012, filings for potential wind turbine locations were made with the FAA for an obstruction evaluation.  (October 2012)

newWild Plains Wind Project

Sumner County, Kansas - TradeWind Energy of Lenexa, KS is developing a project west of the town of Oxford, according to FAA records. They've FAA determinations for three met towers with the FAA.  (September 2016)

newSumner County Wind Project

Sumner County, Kansas - Invenergy of Chicago is developing a project west of I-35 near the unincorporated community of Riverdale, according to FAA records. They received an FAA determinations of No Hazard for a met tower filed in April 2016.  (September 2016)

Wheat Ridge Wind Project

Sumner County, Kansas - In May 2007, a State Representative from Wellington (D- Wetta) noted that "Westar Energy is considering building a wind farm along the eastern edge of Sumner County to supply power lines in Lincoln County." This project may be as large as 200 MW.  A similar sized project entered the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) queue in 2008. In August 2009, a 60 meter meteorological tower was put up with two more planned for  a project htat planned to have 85 to 100 wind turbines over 10, 500 acres.  The MET Tower appears to be that of Alternity Wind Energy, who appears in multiple minutes from the Sumner County Commission in 2009 and 2010. AWE's project involved at least one MET tower east of Interstate 35 in Sumner County.   

As of Nov. 2012, a web-site for Alternity Wind Energy could not be located. (November 2012)

Solomon Forks wind project

Thomas County, Kansas - A wind farm originally developed by Air Stream Energy of Scottsdale, Arizona and currently involving Acciona Energy as well. This project was originally planned to be 130 MW, but is now listed as 108 MW and is located between the towns of Colby and Mingo in Thomas County. This project was proposed to Westar Energy Request for Proposals in April 2007. The fact sheet (see below) says construction will begin in early 2009. No word of whether this is on schedule or not. Also, Airstream appears to have a second project in Thomas County called Great Plains Wind Ranch.  Some of the articles below may refer to that project. 

A December 2011 article in the Colby Free Press notes that a Acciona Energy's 72 turbine project in the southern part of Thomas County is getting close to construction.  The project filed for obstruction determination from the FAA in August 2012 and received their determination in October 2012. (October 2012)

newWilliwaw Sharon Springs Wind Farm

Wallace County, Kansas - Disgen Development Services of Lakewood, CO is developing a project up to 29 turbines south of the town of Sharon Springs. In August 2011, filings for potential wind turbine locations were made with the FAA for an obstruction evaluation.  (October 2012)

Wichita County Wind

Wichita County, Kansas - The Wind Capital Group has received an FAA permit to install a met tower in Wichita County, near Leoti.
Nothing more is known at this time. (January 2010)

Municipalities Wind Project

Several Towns - A project proposed by Kansas Wind Power LLC (now TradeWind Energy), where ten or more municipalities would have a relatively small number of wind turbines (10-20), rather than one huge wind farm.  By "spreading the wealth", multiple small projects can achieve the same scale of economy as a larger project, but without the limitations of transmission constraints.  Cities and towns that were approached (as reported in local newspapers) include Anthony, Augusta,  Coffeyville, Greensburg, Herington, Hoisington, Larned, La Crosse, Lincoln,  Russell, and Winfield. Not much has been said about these projects in several years and they are most likely shelved.  (March 2009)

Return to Kansas Wind Project Table.

Elk City Wind Project

Elk City, Wilson County, Kansas - A 200 MW wind project is proposed near Elk City. It's not known at this time which county this project is in - could be Wilson, Chautauqua, or Elk. This project entered the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) queue for feasibility studies in April 2009. No more information is known at this time. (April 2009)

Other Regional Wind Projects

Other regional wind projects - Information on wind projects in  Missouri and Nebraska. (KEIN)

 

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