Duke’s Los Vientos III goes into commercial production

Duke Energy Los Vientos III

The Los Vientos III wind power project has started commercial production. The project near Rio Grande in Starr County, Texas, was developed by Duke Energy for Austin Energy.

The addition of the project has taken the total installed capacity with Duke Energy to more than 2,000 megawatts.

The company already has seven other projects in different stages of development in Texas.

The projects are: Sweetwater Windpower Project, Nolan County, (283 MW of 585 MW); Ocotillo Windpower Project, Howard County (59 MW); Notrees Windpower Project, Ector & Winkler Counties (153 MW); Blue Wing Solar Power Project, San Antonio (14 MW); Notrees Battery Storage Project, Winkler County (36 MW); Los Vientos I Windpower Project, Willacy County (200 MW); and Los Vientos II Windpower Project, Willacy County (202 MW).

For Austin Energy, the commercial operation of the farm takes the total output it has purchased from Duke Energy to more than 500 megawatts.

The company will not only purchase power from Los Vientos III but also the associated renewable energy credits from the farm under a 25-year agreement.

Two other projects — Los Vientos IV and Los Vientos V — are being developed by Duke Energy in the region. Los Vientos IV will be completed next year and it, too, will sell power to Austin Energy.

The turbines installed at Los Vientos III have been supplied by Vestas. The 100 V110 model, 2 MW turbines will be serviced by Vestas under a three-year operations and maintenance agreement. Vestas is also supplying turbines to Los Vientos IV and V.

Ajith Kumar S

[email protected]