BP Wind Energy executives welcomed special guests including Congressman Francisco "Quico" Canseco, landowners, local elected officials and community leaders to a dedication ceremony to mark the full commercial operation of the Sherbino 2 Wind Farm in Pecos County, West Texas. The 150 megawatt (MW) wind farm is owned and operated 100 percent by BP, and will generate enough electricity to power 45,000 average American homes.
Congressman Canseco commented: "We need an all-of-the-above energy strategy, especially when hard working American families are being hurt by increasing gas prices. We can create a lot of energy right here in Texas and projects like the Sherbino 2 Wind Farm will ensure that we don’t miss opportunities to make America more energy independent."
Located on a 20,000-acre site some 30 miles east of Fort Stockton, the Sherbino 2 Wind Farm utilizes 60 Clipper Windpower C-96 wind turbines each with a rated capacity of 2.5 MW. Approximately 250 workers were employed during peak construction of the facility and some 12 permanent workers are employed to monitor and maintain the wind farm now that it is operational.
"Texas is a leader in promoting renewable power generation and this aligns well with BP's commitment to produce essential sources of energy and provide cost-competitive power to our customers," said John Graham, president and CEO, BP Wind Energy. "The wind industry is a tremendous made-in-America story that has created thousands of manufacturing jobs and led to significant improvements in wind turbine technology and power generation. The production tax credit (PTC) has created a new business model that has attracted billions in private investment and we urge Congress to allow the industry to finish the job and extend the PTC."
"From the first phases of construction, to today's dedication and on into the future, BP's Sherbino 2 Wind Farm has had, and will continue to have, a major positive impact on the economy of Pecos County," said Doug May, economic development director, Fort Stockton.
The power output from the Sherbino 2 Wind Farm will be delivered into the transmission system managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and sold on the wholesale power market.