Kotzebue Electric Association chose 19 EW50 wind turbines to meet over 40% of local energy needs, reducing their dependence on diesel fuel. The EW50's reliability, low maintenance costs, ease of connectivity to the grid, and no-cost fuel make it an economical source of electricity.
Kotzebue Electric Association, Kotzebue, AK
Utility companies have the opportunity to provide commercial members with cost effective, reliable wind energy. In moderate to strong wind resource areas, there are strong financial and environmental drivers for utility companies to own and operate medium-scale wind generation assets.
Members demanding renewable energy can now be offered a proven on-site solution. The many direct and indirect benefits include:
- Stable long term operational costs
- Increased customer satisfaction
- Reduced spot market energy purchases
- Diversify product portfolio
- Supporting state renewable portfolio standards
Additional benefits include:
- Easy to permit and install in rural and urban settings
- Low maintenance costs
- Improved public image
- Attractive tax benefits
The EW50 provides utilities a strategy for supplying customers with clean renewable energy while controlling operational costs.