Element Power wins approval for Ohio wind farm

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Element Power gets a green light to build a wind farm in Ohio.

Element Power US LLC announced this week that it got a green light from state regulators to build a 200-megawatt wind farm in north central Ohio.

The planned 91-turbine Black Fork Wind Farm received approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board for construction and operation.

But Element Power, which keeps its North American headquarters in Portland, is still several steps away from breaking ground.

The project will likely not move forward until there's some decision made about whether or not to extend the federal Production Tax Credit, said Chris Taylor, chief development officer for Element Power.

"We'd sign a deal tomorrow, but the utilities are likely to wait until there's some clarity on the PTC," Taylor said.

Ohio, unlike the Northwest, doesn't have a bumper crop of wind projects, however. And a the state's renewable portfolio standard makes it likely that the project will move forward one way or another.

It could begin operations as early as 2013 once a power-purchase agreement for the wind energy generated is in place.

The project, which will cost $300 million - $400 million to build, will generate enough electricity for about 55,000 homes.

Element's permit was approved after a strenuous review process which Ohio is known for.

"This permit adds the Black Fork Wind Farm to a short list of approved wind projects in the state of Ohio," said Ty Daul, CEO of Element Power, in a press release.

Element Power is developing large-scale solar projects in Ohio as well.

According to its website, Element Power, which is owned by Hudson Clean Energy Partners, has 141 megawatts of renewable energy in operation, with more in development, in Europe, North and Latin America and Asia. The company disclosed a $35 million debt financing deal in March.

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