March 29, 2004—Officials at Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WP&L), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation, will proceed with plans to increase the amount of wind power in their balanced portfolio of resources by adding 100 megawatts (MW) of wind generation in Wisconsin in 2005. In 2003, Alliant Energy already had 5.4 percent of the nation’s wind capacity on its system and hopes to increase that number with this renewable energy project. WP&L will accept proposals from bidders for 10 to 100 MW wind generation in one or more locations in Wisconsin, with the addition of these resources to be in place for a minimum of 15 years.
Kim Zuhlke, Vice President – New Energy Resources, states that creative ownership structures or power purchase agreements from bidders is encouraged. “These proposals could take on many forms including a purchase power agreement; full or partial ownership of a turn-key wind project; or any combination of these options,” Zuhlke states. “We will remain open-minded to any and all alternatives in order to offer exceptional value in renewable energy to our customers.”
One key factor necessary for the project to move forward is the extension of the federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) law, which expired Dec. 31, 2003 but is currently being debated by lawmakers for renewal. The law essentially provides an incentive for companies to increase the production of electricity generated by clean, renewable energy sources such as wind. This incentive has helped the wind energy industry to grow and resulted in wind turbine technology improvements that have made wind an increasingly efficient, reliable and cost-effective source of electricity. Without the PTC in place, Zuhlke says, wind power is not as economically feasible for our customers.
For more information, contact WP&L.
