GP: Nevada Power to Buy Wind

["Tom Gray" <tomgray@igc.org>]

The following article is from a recent issue of "Wind Energy Weekly."  You
can subscribe to a free, time-lagged edition of this informative
publication, which now goes to more than 3,000 subscribers in over 70
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NEVADA POWER TO PURCHASE
WIND POWER FROM TEST SITE
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On March 1, Nevada Power signed an agreement to purchase wind power from the
85-MW wind farm that is being developed by MNS Wind Co. at the Department of
Energy's Nevada Nuclear Test Site.  The project, called the Shoshone wind
farm, will produce enough wind power for approximately 50,000 people.
Construction of 57 1.5-MW NEG Micon wind turbines is expected to begin as
early as this summer with an estimated operating date of late 2003.  MNS
Wind Co. is a 50/50 joint venture between Global Renewable Energy Partners
(GREP, formerly M&N Wind Power, a subsidiary of NEG Micon), and Siemens
Energy and Automation, the project's construction partner.

"We have long been interested in utilizing renewable technology as an
additional energy resource for our customers.  This initial effort is
another step in our attempts to diversify our generation base with clean
sources of energy and is consistent with our goal of providing safe and
reliable service to our customers," said Mark Ruelle, president of Nevada
Power.

Nevada passed a restructuring law in 2001 that requires Nevada Power to
obtain 5% of its energy sales from renewable resources by 2003, increasing
to 15% by 2015.

Nevada Power has signed a 17-year power purchase agreement, with an option
to extend for another eight years.  "We are truly excited and hope that we
will have many opportunities to offer other wind projects throughout the
state in the future.  We commend Nevada Power for their foresight and belief
in the power of renewables," said John Johansen, president of MNS Wind.
"The success of our efforts can clearly be seen as an effective working
partnership between private businesses, such as GREP, Siemens, and Nevada
Power, along with government support from Senator Harry Reid and the
Department of Energy," added Johansen.

Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.), a long-time supporter of renewable energy in
Nevada, was pleased to hear that the agreement was finalized.  "The time is
right to embrace new forms of clean energy and Nevada is the right location
to build a pollution-free wind farm.  It is good for Nevada to set a
positive example for the nation," said Reid.  Reid and the Department of
Energy (DOE) have strongly supported a nationwide effort to promote
renewable energy deployment and utilization of the Nevada Test Site for
commercial uses.

The Department of Energy is spearheading the environmental impact study,
which is currently underway and is expected to be released for public
comment in March.  Pre-construction activities such as designs for access
roads, electrical substations, transmission and distribution lines and
turbine layouts are also underway.

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada will be required to review and
approve the agreement between Nevada Power and MNS Wind.


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  * Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology, http://www.crest.org
  * Global Environmental Options, http://www.geonetwork.org
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