Wind farm that will green McDonald's serves up big turbine order for GE
US manufacturer to deliver 265MW to Oklahoma project that has power deal with fast-food giant
GE Renewable Energy announced a 265MW order for 94 of its 2.8-127 wind turbines from independent power producer ALLETE Clean Energy for the Caddo wind farm located in southwestern Oklahoma that will sell about two-thirds of its power to fast-food giant McDonald's.
The contract includes a 15-year full-service agreement. Construction of the 303MW facility is underway with commissioning expected in 2021.
Safe harbour is one way to start construction of a project for PTC eligibility by incurring 5% of its total capital costs upfront before the end of the calendar year. To do this, developers typically make a down payment on turbines or heavy equipment such as transformers.
McDonald's will purchase 200MW capacity from the facility under a virtual power purchase agreement.
VPPAs allow corporate renewable buyers to commit to green energy without taking physical delivery of the electricity and are based on variable-priced cash flow and renewable energy certificates.
Caddo is the fourth ALLETE onshore wind farm that will fly GE turbines with a combined installed base of more than 750MW.
“Our 2MW platform leverages proven, reliable technology and is ideally suited for this part of the country at a time when the world needs access to clean, affordable energy,” said Tim White, CEO for onshore wind Americas at GE.
Vestas was second with 1.72GW (27% market share). Siemens Gamesa was third, with 619MW (10%) and Nordex fourth, 151MW (2%).