Pickens Mesa Power Orders 1,000 MW of Wind Turbines

Per press release, edited slightly:

Mesa Power LLP, a company created by T. Boone Pickens, has placed an order with General Electric to purchase 667, 1.5 megawatt wind turbines for the worlds largest wind farm, capable of generating 1,000 megawatts, nameplate, of electricity, enough to power more than 300,000 average U.S. homes. The order is part of the $2 billion first phase, see previous post, of the Pampa Wind Project planned in the Texas panhandle by Mesa.

When all the phases of the project are completed it will become the world's largest wind energy project, with more than 4,000 megawatts, nameplate, of installed capacity. When completed, projected to be in 2014, the wind farm will be five times as big as the nation's current largest wind power project, now producing 736 megawatts.

Pickens said he expects that first phase of the project will cost about $2 billion. When complete, the Pampa Wind Project will cover some 400,000 acres in the Texas Panhandle.

Pickens envisions that large scale renewable energy projects like his Pampa Wind Project will permit the United States to become less dependent on foreign oil. Large scale renewable energy projects such as this are difficult to execute because they rely upon the Federal Production Tax Credit, which provides incentives for development of renewable energy. However, large scale renewable energy projects require commitments years in advance, while Congress has only extended the Production Tax Credit one or two years at a time.

Mesa Power is hopeful that the Pampa Wind Project will qualify for the Federal Production Tax Credits in 2010 and 2011 when the project will begin commercial operations. "I believe that Congress will recognize that it is critical not only to this project, but to renewable energy in this country, that they enact a long-term extension of the Production Tax Credits," Pickens said.

"You find an oilfield, it peaks and starts declining, and you've got to find another one to replace it," said Pickens, who once operated one of the largest independent oil and gas production companies. "It can drive you crazy. With wind, there's no decline curve."

An Austin-based Resource Inc. economic impact study, commissioned by Mesa Power, projects that the Mesa Power wind farm will bring significant increases in jobs and income for the five counties of the project investment zone (Carson, Gray, Hemphill, Roberts and Wheeler counties).

The study forecast the project would generate an estimated 1,500 jobs during the construction phase, and 720 during a typical year of the operation phase; personal income in the project investment zone will rise by $68.7 million per year during the construction phase, and $120 million during the operation phase. The more significant impact during the operation phase is largely due to lease payments to be made to landowners in the project area amounting to $65.3 million per year.

Resource Economics estimates that the total value of economic output in the region due to the project will be $380 million per year during the construction phase and $1.6 billion per year during the operation period, and additions to the tax rolls of school districts in the project investment zone will amount to $2.4 billion by 2018, assuming the school districts approve an application to limit appraisal values during the project's first 10 years.

Lots of news about big wind projects lately.  Pickens claim that the project is dependent on Federal Production Tax Credits is disappointing. It is too bad that wind power is not commercially viable without subsidies on a project of this size.  Others have claimed that it is competitive with natural gas power plants, I suppose that is dependent on the cost of power where the plant is built. Pickens said “I believe that Congress will recognize that it is critical not only to this project, but to renewable energy in this country, that they enact a long-term extension of the Production Tax Credits." The WSJ commented ". . . state-level incentives, such as laws requiring utilities to purchase clean energy, are bolstering growth in the sector."

Too avoid some comments, it must be remembered that with wind power, most of the news uses the  nameplate or nominal capacity, the power produced when the wind is blowing at some stated value, rather than the actual power that is produced.  The actual production is 25% to 35% of the nameplate capacity because the wind does not blow hard enough, all of the time.  This means that wind power especially, and to nearly the same extent solar power, must be backed up by some other generation means, unless it is tied into an extensive grid that uses geographical distribution, over a large region or even nationally, or combined with energy storage, to compensate for the intermittency of wind and solar power. Solar has the advantage of being fairly predictable as to when the sun will shine. Without backup power, energy storage or geographical diversity, it is usually estimated that sun and wind power can only be used for 20% to 30% of total power requirements. Tidal or wave power have some advantages that I will not go into here because their use is very dependent of favorable geographical conditions. Progress is being made on energy storage, but it is not quite ready for prime time. I support using  hot dry rock, HDR, geothermal power as baseline power to reduce the expense of interconnecting transmission lines, which will always be required to some extent. 

Comments

[Alexander]

Dear Bob Wallace,
Please read again:
http://www.windenergy-the-truth.com/
And please point out, the by you socalled "delusional crap", so we can have a real tecnical discussion.
Alexander

[Jim Vitolo]

One of my colleagues built a wind turbine and I have to say it kicks some serious hynnie. It generates so much energy at a cheap cost. They are worth it. T. Boone knows what he is doing.

[Jamie Roberts]

T Boone Rules, everyone else drools.

[Oliver]

It's about time someone got on with *generating* some sustainable power. That's the other side of the equation from products that reduce your energy use.

http://www.reduceyourenergyuse.com

[oilfield equipment]

how cool is this. Wind just generating power would be very cheap.

[Ben]

It has been 1 year since this article was written. It will be nice if an update on the project is available

[lmgtfy]

for more recent news on the Pickens project, check out
http://news.cnet.com/greentech/?keyword=Pickens

[anna]

this website needs more pictures becasue pictures are very atractive and when i look at a page of writing i tend to sigh i hope i dont have to read it but dont take this advioce the wrong way it is just a bit of constructive criticism.

[Kit P]

A recent press release:

“I launched the Pickens Plan a year ago to help reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and using our abundant supply of natural gas as a transition fuel for fleet vehicles and heavy-duty trucks is a key element of that plan.”

A year later we now know that the Pickens Scam had nothing to do with renewable energy.

[George]

It’s too bad about the wind project, since that’s the only part of
Pickens’ plan that makes any sense.

But re the controversial “Man-Bunny Matrix” post, (http://www.manbunnymatrix.net/2009/07/gland-plans.html)
as near as I can tell, taken individually the facts seem to check out, and they are backed up by The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (didn’t NYT’s Kristof discuss them recently? Hmmm..man or bunny?) but I’m 99% sure besides McClendon and Pickens that most of those people are made up. Cute rabbits though.

[Residential Vertical Wind Turbine]

Isn't it great to see that a person who made his money in oil is now leading the way in renewable energy with wind power.

Great to see!

[johan]

I enjoyedv too much reading your precious article; Thanks for it . Today people want to help out the environment and save as much of its precious resources as possible. Using green and clean energy is very beneficial to earth and man. Free courses on how to build a home windpower network:http://www.windpowercost.org THANKS

[penis enlargement]

Mesa Power LLP, a company created by T. Boone Pickens, has placed an order with General Electric to purchase 667, 1.5 megawatt wind turbines for the worlds largest wind farm,

What is the location of the farm?

[gerry thompson]

check this site also guys..

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[gerry thompson]

i've enjoyed reading your articles and it is good now a days to switch on going green and maintain the cleanliness of the environment.. Free courses on how to build a home windpower network:http://www.windpowercost.org THANKS

[gerry thompson]

Wind Power is the answer to one of our financial problems.

check this site also...

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[gerry thompson]

check this site also..

thanks in advance..

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[don bartell]

Converting to Windmill Power
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How Much does a Wind turbine Cost?

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[gerry thompson]

if you are interested in learning exactly how to generate power and reduce your bill then this is the perfect resource for you!

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[gerry thompson]

Wind power is a great backup for when you have long periods of cloudy days. So it makes sense to build a wind turbine too!

A few cheap items from your hardware store and a couple of hours can give you free green energy from your very own windmill.

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[gerry thompson]

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[don bartell]

Wind power is a great backup for when you have long periods of cloudy days. So it makes sense to build a wind turbine too!

A few cheap items from your hardware store and a couple of hours can give you free green energy from your very own windmill.

• Learn how wind energy is produced.

• Find out what you need to build your own professional wind turbine.

• Get wind maps for your area! This will help you figure out how much power you can expect from your wind turbine in your area.

[don bartell]

Are you interested in learning the best, fastest and easiest way to
maintain the efficiency your Wind Turbine without spending a lot
of money on supplies?

If you answered “yes” to the question above, then this may
very well be the most exciting message you’ve read all day. Here’s
why…

You’re about to discover a proven system for optimizing the Best kept secrets to Wind Power Cost. This system works whether you have experience or are a beginner.

[Samanta SHilly]

Your blog is great and nicely green. The pruf : 224 comments please. Thanks to deal such subjects. Go green, go windpowercost.org

[Nose hair trimmers]

I like David Walters plan for California. Simply build a few more nuclear plants is a good solution. It is by far the cleanest and safest way to go for large base load power. A lot of folks worry about spent fuel waste storage but it is rather easy to maintain. I hope my state builds more nuclear. I was sad to see our power company is choosing a new coal plant to meet future demand.

[Scaffold boards]

I enjoyedv too much reading your precious article; Thanks for it . Today people want to help out the environment and save as much of its precious resources as possible. Using green and clean energy is very beneficial to earth and man.

[Energy writers]

WIND ENERGY IS THE POWER OF THE FUTURE!!!!

[Anbu]

Good informative content...Nice article...

[DIY Wind turbine maker]

A shame that this blog is discontinued, or does it just look like it? Well, i think wind power is a great way to use renewable energies. Even on a small scale. I have build two wind turbines myself for less then $100 each...and they work very well. I don't know what problem people have with wind energy. At least my power bill is almost down to zero and i have a good feeling not to pollute our environment.

[Made in China]

Made in China

[rajesh]

Its a nice begining for establishing such a hugh projects. We would like to get article on wind turbines (large) from General Electric in our book Energy India 2020 by www.saketprojects.com

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[wind generator]

I really really felt very happy when i got the simple definition of WIND TURBINE. I really thank you for that Sir. One final request will it be possible for you to send me some information on WIND TURBINE through mail. It will be a great favour if you can help me in that way.

[wind generator]

Wind turbines are used to generate electricity from the kinetic power of the wind. Historical they were more frequently

used as a mechanical device to turn machinery.

[wind generator]

David calling people killers is a very serious charge. My air quality is good, every day. So My society will keep using coal and ignore those who are 3000 miles away. I like David Walters plan for California. Simply build a few more nuclear plants is a good solution. It is by far the cleanest and safest way to go for large base load power. A lot of folks worry about spent fuel waste storage but it is rather easy to maintain. I hope my state builds more nuclear.

[Dog Bark Collar]

It is really excited to see a person making his money in oil is now leading the way in renewable energy with wind power.

[Thom Johnson]

Mr. Pickens definitely has the ideas of keeping the US as energy dependent as possible. I commend him for that. But, he is a business man first. This wind farm will help the US as a country; but will it help the US citizens? Meaning, will it bring down the cost of electricity and gasoline? Only time will tell. But I believe it will not.

[renewable energy sources]

its good to see companies moving towards more renewable energy sources. See www.energy-measures.com for more information.

[cash for gold]

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[Generators]

Whilst renewable alternatives are the ideal, they are as yet incapable of supplying adequate and reliable enough supplies of power.

[Jackdorson]

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[Orlando]

We recommend that yearly wind speed averages for a region should be taken into account when planning wind farms, this will keep our yield expectations realistic...