Avista to purchase power from proposed wind farm in Adams County

Avista announced late last month that it has selected to purchase power generated by the proposed Rattlesnake Flat Wind Project in Adams County.

The proposed project, which is now being developed by Clearway Energy Group, will be located on 20,000 acres of privately owned land near Lind.. The project would be the largest renewable energy facility in Adams County, and would be capable of generating clean, renewable energy to power about 37,600 households.

"Recent market changes, including reductions in the cost of wind power facilities and tax incentives that remain in effect, have combined to make this an excellent time to acquire long-term output from a cost-effective wind resource, which has the added benefit of being located in our service territory," said Jason Thackston, Senior Vice President of Energy Resources for Avista in a press release on March 19. "Rattlesnake Flat will help Avista meet its goal of providing reliable energy to our customers at a reasonable cost, while bringing even more renewable energy to our region, now and in the future."

Benjamin Fairbanks, Senior Director of Wind Development at Clearway Energy Group, said that Clearway has been "closely working with key stakeholders in Adams County." Fairbanks said Clearway has been developing partnerships with landowners, businesses and local government to make the Rattlesnake Flat Wind Project possible.

"We're proud that Rattlesnake Flat will be a source of home-grown renewable energy for the state of Washington and for Avista's customers for many years to come," said Fairbanks.

The power purchase agreement between Avista and Clearway is for 20 years, with deliveries expected to begin in 2020. Avista noted that Rattlesnake Flat will tie into their electric system via the Lind/Washtucna transmission line.

A story published by The Journal in July of 2018 detailed the emergence of the Rattlesnake Flat Wind Project. The wind farm was originally proposed by NRG Energy, which has since sold its renewable energy business to Global Infrastructure Partners and has been renamed Clearway Energy Group.

Approximately 25 Adams County landowners have agreed to lease land for the proposed project, with the construction area set to stretch from Providence Road to Cunningham Road, and from Highway 21 to Highway 261. An estimated $800,000 will be disbursed between the 25 landowners over the course of 30 years.

During an open house hosted by NRG Energy in June of 2018, NRG's senior project manager Nick Benjamin said that the proposed site area is ideal because of the southwest prevailing wind, which will help maximize energy production. Benjamin also said that the site will have limited negative impacts on agricultural activities, as farmers will still be able to harvest the land around the turbines. In all, the permit allows for up to 90 wind turbines.

The project is expected to have positive financial benefits to local taxing districts, with the project estimating to contribute $1.4 million in property tax revenue in the first year. Furthermore, property taxes are estimated to decrease by about eight percent for landowners in the Lind, Washtucna and Ritzville districts.

During the construction of the project, $12 million is expected to be invested locally. Benjamin estimated that the project should generate about 250 jobs during the construction of the project, and 10-12 family wage positions over the 30-year lifespan of the project.