Renewable energy sources, such as wind* and solar*, have grown significantly in the past decade, with Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC), in addition to numerous other electric cooperatives across the country, actively expanding and diversifying their fuel portfolios. For almost 20 years, WFEC has played a key role in the overall advancement of renewable energy.
WFEC’s zero-emission generation portfolio of assets planned to be operational in 2023 will consist of 956 MW of wind* generating capacity; 403 MW of solar* generating capacity; and 268 MW of hydroelectric generating capacity. In addition, the 800 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage, which is a part of the overall Skeleton Creek Project, will provide the ability to shift solar energy output to a time when demand requires the energy and to store solar energy that otherwise would be lost due to clipping.
Once these new resources have achieved commercial operation, by the end of 2023, roughly half of the energy sales to WFEC members will be offset by zero carbon generating resource energy sales to the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) market.
However, the development of carbon-free resources is not a quick process, and it probably does not lend itself to a total use of renewable sources. Fossil fuel sources remain necessary for periods of changing wind, water and solar conditions. The sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow.
But, rest assured, WFEC will continue to be among the leading cooperatives that are a part of the promising new opportunities that lie ahead for its electric cooperative members of tomorrow.
