Post-Tribune staff report
BP has started full construction on a second phase of the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm in Benton County.
The second phase will have 133 turbines with a total capacity of 200 megawatts - enough to power 60,000 homes. It's expected to be online in the first quarter of 2010.
The turbines will come from GE and have a capacity of 1.5 megawatts each.
BP estimates the project will employ 400 people on site during peak construction.
"Today marks another significant investment commitment by BP Wind Energy as we continue to build out our wind portfolio," said John Graham, president for BP Wind Energy. "Wind power is a key component of delivering a diverse and adequate energy supply and is one of America's most plentiful and important low-carbon resources. We are pleased to be expanding the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm and once more to be working in the community of Benton County."
The wind farm is located about 90 miles northwest of Indianapolis.
BP said the balance of plant contract for the 17,000-acre site has been awarded to Mortenson Construction of Minneapolis.
The power from phase two has been sold under four long-term contracts of 50 megawatts each. Three have been signed with operating units of American Electric Power and one with Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana.
On April 15, BP announced all 222 wind mills in phase one of the Benton County wind farm were operational. They generate a combined 400 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 120,000 homes.
The electricity from phase one is sold to Dominion Energy Marketing Inc., Indiana Michigan Power and Appalachian Power under long-term contracts.
Construction on phase one of the wind farm began in early 2008. A total of 850 workers were employed at the peak of construction. Thirty-six full-time workers are employed to monitor and maintain the wind farm.