Puget Sound Energy (PSE), a prominent Washington state utility, announced on Thursday its intention to construct a 248-megawatt wind farm in Stillwater County, Montana. The Beaver Creek wind farm is a strategic move by PSE to align with Washington state's stringent clean energy regulations, mandating utilities to provide customers with power sourced entirely from clean, renewable, and non-emitting resources by 2045.
Situated in elevated plains, the proposed wind park will connect to NorthWestern Energy's system and leverage existing PSE transmission facilities. Although the turbines are initially designated for Stillwater County, there exists an option to install additional units in the neighboring Sweet Grass County, accompanied by a lithium-ion battery energy storage system.
PSE anticipates that Beaver Creek's advantageous location in Montana, characterized by favorable wind conditions, will contribute to its high production rate. The wind farm's generation capacity is poised to offset the typically lower output observed in Washington wind farms during extremely cold weather periods in the Pacific Northwest. Construction is scheduled to commence in the upcoming spring, with commercial operations slated for initiation in 2025.
Mary Kipp, President and CEO of PSE, highlighted the significance of this initiative within the broader context of the utility's commitment to one of the country's most substantial clean energy transformations. The Beaver Creek Wind Farm represents a pivotal step for PSE in advancing its clean energy portfolio and contributing to the realization of Washington state's ambitious clean energy goals.
