ENID —
A general contractor has begun the process of building about 145 wind turbines north of the Enid area, said Brent Kisling, president of Enid Regional Development Alliance.
“They will be working on the gravel areas first, the did the preliminary work in April,” Kisling said.
The wind farm represents a $400 million investment, plus an expected 125 construction workers will be in the area during construction. Longterm workers will number 15 to 20, he said.
EGP North America is the owner of the project. TradeWind Energy was the developer and got the program going. EGP has a temporary office in James W. Strate Center for Business Development and is working with subcontractors.
The project started about three years ago when measuring towers, called MET towers, were put up to determine the wind speed at 300 feet. The research began and the project happened faster than most do. The lease sales and development usually is about a six-year process, and this project was about a four- to five-year process, Kisling said.
“The big part was the power purchase (agreements) with Alabama,” he said. “They are scheduled for completion by the end of the calendar year.”
The pads on which the wind towers sit are 10 feet deep and 50 feet in diameter, and the towers are about 300 feet tall at their highest point. Kisling said as long as they are beneath 400 feet, there is no problem with violating Vance Air Force Base airspace.
Construction crews also are working on road upgrades. Kisling said some roads in the Hunter area had to be improved and bridges strengthened to move equipment.
“The locals are getting nicer roads and bridges,” Kisling said.
“I think one of the companies also gave a substantial amount to Hunter to upgrade the community center,” Kisling said.
Progress 2012
Related Photos
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EGP North America has begun the process of building about 145 wind turbines north of the Enid area that will be similar to this wind farm near Woodward when the project is finished. Construction crews also are working on road upgrades in the area. (Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON)
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EGP North America has begun the process of building about 145 wind turbines north of the Enid area that will be similar to this wind farm near Woodward when the project is finished. Construction crews also are working on road upgrades in the area. (AP Photo)
Discussion
It's a breeze
Company on fast track to getting wind energy rolling north of Enid
- Progress 2012
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2012 ON THE HORIZON
The News & Eagle puts out an annual progress edition. This year's 2012 On the Horizon focuses on developments now and in the future. The stories in text format are available by scrolling down this page.
Links to pdf format: Economic Development I Health and Wellness I Education I Northwest Oklahoma I Family I Faith I Agriculture and Energy I Community Service
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Community Service
Enid News & Eagle's 2012 On the Horizon edition concludes with the role of community service.
Click HERE for text version of the stories.
Click HERE for pdf version of the edition.
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Chisholm seeks consistency
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A positive interaction
Karen Vanover and A.Z. Callicoat are past volunteers of the year at their respective hospitals, Vanover at Integris Bass Baptist Health Center and Callicoat at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.
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Foster Grandparents: The solver of all problems
“It’s something to get up for in the morning." — Foster Grandparent Ella Loggins
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Hear this
Hedges is committed to improving communications skills for those in need in northwest Oklahoma.
Executive Director Carmen Ball said Hedges is the only full-service speech and hearing center in northwest Oklahoma. -
Doing their part for the community
Stephanie Ezzell is active in the community in a number of capacities, including the popular Farmers Market, on the southeast corner of Grand and Garriott.
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Sorting out the service
The curbside recycling business began after Chris Feeney of Oklahoma Employment Securities’ Material Recovery, a recycling venture, repeatedly was asked why the option wasn’t available.
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Learning the language
Volunteers at Emmanuel Baptist Church stepped up to fill that gap with free ESL instruction last January, and now they have hopes of expanding the program to better serve the community.
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Tutoring joy
Each Wednesday after school, church members pick up students — there are 23 in this year’s group — and take them to the church building for a snack, some fun and plenty of homework help.
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Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child
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Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
