PGE negotiating to buy Eastern Oregon wind farm

Portland General Electric Co. has set its sites on a proposed wind farm facility that could ultimately encompass 68,000 acres in Gilliam County. The Portland utility has signed a preliminary agreement with Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. to acquire development rights for the proposed Rock Creek Wind Farm.

RES Americas is pursuing state permits for the facility, which would have a generation capacity of 400 to 550 megawatts of energy — enough to power more than 96,000 homes. If permits are secured, RES Americas expects construction to being in 2014 or 2015.

Under terms of the agreement, PGE would have exclusive rights to purchase the project through the end of 2010.

"We're going to need significant new renewable generating resources in coming years as we work to meet Oregon's renewable energy standards," said Jim Lobdell, PGE vice president for power operations and resource strategy. He added that competition for promising renewable sites is competitive.

PGE has filed a request with the Oregon Public Utility Commission for a waiver of the commission's competitive bidding guidelines. PGE is seeking the waiver because of the length of time needed to complete the competitive bidding process and the limited duration of PGE's exclusivity period to act on this opportunity.

Details of the preliminary agreement will remain confidential unless a definitive agreement is signed.

sstevens@bizjournals.com | 503-219-3480