Seeking to further diversify its energy mix by adding more wind, Gulf Power received unanimous approval today from the Florida Public Service Commission to add 94 megawatts of wind energy from the Kingfisher Wind farm in Oklahoma.
Since January of this year, Gulf Power’s original Kingfisher Wind project has been producing 178 megawatts of wind-generated energy. With the approval of a second agreement, it will add an additional 94 megawatts of wind energy to Gulf Power’s energy mix, for a total of 272 megawatts.
“This is a major step forward in our mission to deliver reliable, affordable, and clean energy with renewable energy that makes economic sense for our customers,” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Part of our commitment to an efficient and reliable energy future means making more renewable sources of energy accessible to our customers. These smart renewables, like Kingfisher Wind, can actually put downward pressure on prices.”
Located in Oklahoma, the Kingfisher Wind project has a total of 136 wind turbines capable of producing enough energy to power approximately 77,150 homes for a year.
“Adding alternate sources of renewable energy to our portfolio is important for our customers and takes careful planning,” added DelaHaya. “By diversifying our energy supply with an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach that includes renewable energy plus 24/7 traditional sources, our customers can count on us for their energy needs today and well into the future.”
Helping to diversify a balanced energy mix, renewable energy sources are projected to make up approximately 9 percent of Gulf Power’s energy mix with the recent approval of the additional 94 megawatts of wind energy, and once construction of Gulf Power’s military solar projects are complete. Kingfisher is the energy company’s sixth renewable energy project following the Perdido Landfill Gas-to-Energy Facility, which has produced more than 100 million kilowatt hours of electricity since 2010.
Gulf Power is also bringing large-scale solar to Northwest Florida at three military solar energy projects across Northwest Florida. Located at Eglin AFB (Air Force), Saufley Field (Navy) and Holley Field (Navy), the projects are expected to provide approximately 30MW, 50MW and 40MW of renewable energy, respectively.
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Gulf Power is an investor-owned energy provider with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 450,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely provide exceptional customer value by delivering reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity while strengthening our communities. Visit online at MyGulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page. News information can be found at GulfPowerNews.com.
Media Contacts:
Jeff Rogers
Corporate Communications Manager
850-444-6243, cell 850-572-551
Rick DelaHaya
Media Relations Supervisor
850-444-6433, cell 318-294-2338
Media Relations
850-444-6784, cell 850-375-6123
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this release is forward‐looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward‐looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning the projected benefits of the Kingfisher Wind project and other renewable energy projects and Gulf Power’s anticipated generation mix. Gulf Power cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward‐looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward‐looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Gulf Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Gulf Power’s Annual Report on Form 10‐K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward‐looking information: ability to control costs and avoid cost overruns during the development and construction of facilities, to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses, to satisfy any operational and environmental performance standards, and to integrate facilities and operations upon completion of development and construction; state and federal rate regulations and the impact of pending and future rate cases and negotiations; and available sources and the costs of fuels. Gulf Power expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward‐looking information.