BP has scompleted a $100 million upgrade to the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm in Benton County.
The London-based energy giant, which operates the BP Whiting Refinery, put in bigger wind turbines that it says will generate up to 40% more power. BP said in a news release that the newer blades are more efficient and reliable and will ultimately extend the life of the wind farm in downstate Indiana.
BP upgraded 40 turbines, installing 120 blades and 40 nacelles, which house transformers and power generation equipment, atop the wind towers. The new Vestas turbines can generate an average of 314,000 kilowatt-hours a year, or enough to power 27,000 homes, the company said.
"We're excited to partner with BP as a leading multibrand service provider, supplying new, industry-leading technology for the Fowler Ridge 1 wind project," said Ramit Bajaj, senior vice president of construction and operations for Vestas North America. “Repowering wind projects offers an optimal solution for aging fleets by increasing the annual energy production and expanding the lifespan of a project — a critical component of the clean energy transition.”
BP now operates nine onshore wind farms with an interest in a tenth in Hawaii. Amid mounting global pressure to address climate change, BP can currently generate 1.7 gigawatts of wind energy or enough to power more than 540,000 homes.
BP operates three Fowler Ridge wind farms, which can power up to 195,000 homes a year by generating 355 turbines. It owns Fowler Ridge 1 and 3 outright and is not involved with a fourth Fowler Ridge wind farm.
“This project is a substantial upgrade for the wind farm and another investment in BP's low-carbon energy future,” said Orlando Alvarez, chairman and president of BP America. “It shows BP's strategy in action — contributing to a more secure, affordable and lower carbon energy mix while pursuing our net zero ambition.”
BP will recycle the blades it's replacing. The old windmill blades will be recycled and used in cement.
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