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Wind in BPA Grid Tops 3,000 MW by Staff BPA Journal, October 2010

It's official. BPA now hosts more than 3,000 megawatts of wind power in its transmission grid. At full capacity, that's as much energy as three large nuclear plants. At wind power's average output of roughly 30 percent, that's still as much energy as a nuclear plant.

The latest additions came at Portland General Electric's Biglow Canyon project near Wasco, Ore.

BPA expects to connect 798 megawatts of wind power to its grid this year. Next year, the agency expects more than 1,000 megawatts of wind to come on line.

BPA facilitates wind development by providing delivery through its transmission system. BPA also provides backup reserves for wind output as a transmission service.Reserves are needed to keep the system stable at times when wind isn't blowing. The wind projects are owned by utilities and independent power producers.

For more on BPA's role in supporting Northwest wind power, go to www.bpa.gov/corporate/WindPower/.