WAPA buying more wind power
StoryDiscussionBy BLAKE NICHOLSON Associated Press Writer | Posted: Friday, October 30, 2009 2:45 pm |

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A federal agency that markets electricity generated by water projects such as Missouri River dams is increasing short-term partnerships with wind farms in the Dakotas and might someday become an even bigger potential buyer for wind developers in the two states.

The Western Area Power Administration has been working with the Army and the Interior Department on a study of integrating wind and water-based power. The study, which is not yet available to the public, will recommend that Congress authorize a long-term demonstration project, said Jody Sundsted, power marketing manager for WAPA's Upper Great Plains Region.

Details have not yet been worked out. "It could be a long-term power supply arrangement with a tribal wind farm operator or it could be that we operate it, but it will ultimately be up to Congress,'' Sundsted said.

The project could provide more information on the economics of integrating the two types of power. Developers say any increased involvement by WAPA in the wind energy market would be welcome.

"Any time there are customers who publicly support and are looking to purchase wind power, that's a good thing,'' said Steve Stengel, spokesman for Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources. "We're in the business of helping customers meet their energy needs and ... we have customers who are interested in wind power.''

NextEra has more than 8,000 wind turbines across the country, including turbines in the Dakotas that produce more than 600 megawatts of power, with more under development. One megawatt is enough to power 800 typical residential homes.

WAPA, one of four such agencies within the U.S. Department of Energy, sells power to nonprofit providers such as governments, rural electric cooperatives and American Indian tribes in 15 central and western states, from California to Minnesota. When it cannot fulfill its contracts with hydropower, it must buy electricity on the open market.

The situation has been exacerbated in recent years by prolonged drought in the Missouri River basin, which has lowered the level of reservoirs such as Lake Oahe in South Dakota and Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota to record lows. The reservoirs behind the dams rebounded this year, but Sundsted said hydropower generation has not yet returned to normal