20-Year Milestone for OK Wind Farm

As an Executive Vice President of Asset Operations for EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA), I recently celebrated the 20-year anniversary of Oklahoma’s four-phase 423-megawatt Blue Canyon Wind Farm near Apache, which annually generates energy equivalent to the consumption of more than 94,000 average Oklahoma households. Blue Canyon consists of four phases throughout Caddo, Comanche, and Kiowa Counties, having had significant economic impacts on all three communities. More than $22.1 million has been paid to local governments, supporting schools, roads, public transportation, and other community services.

Blue Canyon's operations also resulted in millions of dollars in local spending, funding restaurants, shops, and hotels and creating 64 permanent jobs and 582 jobs during construction. Our relationship with landowners remains a priority, and the wind farm helps provide them with a stable form of income of more than $25.3 million. Their support means a lot to us. Although we are the ones monitoring the wind farm, the three counties relying on the clean energy are our reason for going into work every day.

My involvement with this project and the community has shown me the benefits of incorporating renewable energy into Oklahoma's energy portfolio. With 20 years of success behind us on this project, I can't wait to see what is in store for our future.

Tim Hertel, Carnegie, Okla., The Lawton Constitution