200 megawatt wind farm will begin serving customers by late 2016. Westar Energy Inc. (NYSE:WR) announced today that it will grow its renewable energy commitment to nearly 1,300 megawatts – equivalent to the power consumption of about half the homes it serves. Westar will purchase wind energy from a 200 megawatt wind farm to be constructed on its behalf in Pratt County, Kan., by an affiliate of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC.
“Kansas wind provides the best economic fit to make renewable energy available and affordable for all our customers,” Mark Ruelle, Westar Energy president and chief executive officer said. “Westar is the state’s largest supporter of renewables, and we are excited to add more clean Kansas wind energy to our energy supply.”
The Ninnescah wind farm will be built beginning late this year or early 2016 and will begin providing energy by the end of 2016. It is expected to bring to nearby communities about $300 million in capital investment, up to 200 construction jobs and several permanent jobs.