Arizona—s first commercial-scale wind farm completed

HOLBROOK, ARIZ. — Federal, state, and local officials, energy industry leaders, ranchers, and school children gathered to celebrate Arizona’s first commercial-scale wind power project at the dedication of the Dry Lake Wind Power Project. The Dry Lake Wind Power Project was developed and is operated by Iberdrola Renewables, the largest provider of wind power in the world. “Iberdrola Renewables intends to invest another $6 billion in new renewable energy facilities in the United States over the next three to four years,” said Martin Mugica, executive vice president for Iberdrola Renewables.

The project brings a new source of clean, renewable energy to the region while supporting the local economy through property tax payments to Navajo County and job creation. During the peak of Dry Lake’s construction, 200 direct construction jobs were created as well as hundreds of indirect jobs through the supply chain and construction support. Dry Lake generates enough power for more than 15,000 homes, which will be delivered to customers of Salt River Project. Composed of 30 Suzlon S88-2.1 megawatt (MW) turbines, the Dry Lake Wind Power Project generates 63 MW of clean energy. The project covers approximately 6,000 acres yet uses less than 2 percent of the total acreage, leaving the majority of land for cattle grazing.

One of the most unique features of the Dry Lake project is that it is located on a mix of federal, state, and private land. Located in Navajo County, the Dry Lake Wind Power Project sits on a combination of private, state and federal lands. Approximately a third of the project is on the private Rocking Chair Ranch, with a third each on Arizona State Land Department and Bureau of Land Management public lands.

More information is available at www.iberdrolarenewables.us/cs_drylake.html. Video and photos are available at www.srpnet.com/drylake.