Cedar Springs I & II Wind Farm
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wind energy |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Converse County , United States |
Area served | Wyoming |
| Products | Electricity generation from wind power |
Number of employees | 20 (2020) |
| Website | www |
Economic and environmental impact
The construction phase of the wind farm created approximately 400 employment opportunities, including 40 positions specifically for workers previously employed in the oil and gas sector. Over its operational lifespan, the project is expected to generate in excess of $100 million in tax revenues, which will benefit local educational institutions and public service programs. Annually, the facility produces sufficient electricity to supply power to nearly 120,000 households.
Project overview
This wind energy complex is divided into three distinct stages:
- Cedar Springs I: 199.4 MW capacity with 72 turbines
- Cedar Springs II: 198.88 MW capacity with 72 turbines
- Cedar Springs III: 133.28 MW capacity with 48 turbines
Turbine specifications
Two models of GE turbines are deployed throughout the three project phases:
Cedar Springs I & II:
- GE 2.8-127 model featuring an 89-meter hub height and a rotor diameter of 127 meters
- GE 2.3-116 model with an 80-meter hub height and a rotor diameter measuring 116 meters
Cedar Springs III:
- 44 units of GE Energy 2.8-127 turbines totaling 124.08 MW
- 4 units of GE Energy 2.3-116 turbines totaling 9.2 MW
Location
Situated roughly 50 miles northeast of Casper and about 30 miles northwest of Douglas, all three phases are located within Converse County:
- Cedar Springs I:
- Cedar Springs II:
- Cedar Springs III:
Development and construction
The project was developed by Cedar Springs Transmission in partnership with Orion Wind Resources, while Blattner Energy served as the construction contractor. All phases reached completion in the year 2020. Groundbreaking commenced in spring 2020, with turbine installations beginning in May. The project emphasized using local suppliers and contractors, thereby boosting the regional economy through expenditures on lodging, fuel, and various services. Construction concluded as planned by December 2020, after which operations transitioned to a permanent workforce comprising 20 full-time employees.
Power purchase agreement
Cedar Springs I has entered into a power purchase agreement with PacifiCorp, selling its full output of 200 MW under an agreement established in 2020.
Economic and environmental impact
During its build-out, the wind farm generated several hundred jobs and is anticipated to produce substantial tax income throughout its operational life. It supplies enough electricity each year to meet the needs of roughly 120,000 residences.
Workplace safety
On August 5, 2024, a fatal incident involving a crane operator occurred at the construction site. The accident is currently being examined by Wyoming OSHA authorities.