Limon Wind Energy Center
The Limon Wind Energy Center is a 600.6 megawatt (MW) wind farm in eastern Colorado near the town of Limon. It became the largest wind facility in the state when construction completed in 2014. The electricity is being sold to Xcel Energy under long-term power purchase agreements.[1][2]
| Limon Wind Energy Center | |
|---|---|
| |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Limon, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39°22′51″N 103°34′23″W |
| Status | Operational |
| Commission date | 2012 (Limon I&II), 2014 (Limon III) |
| Owner(s) | NextEra Energy Resources |
| Operator(s) | NextEra Energy Resources |
| Wind farm | |
| Type | Onshore |
| Rotor diameter | 100 m |
| Power generation | |
| Units operational | 368 General Electric turbines |
| Make and model | GE 1.6 MW (Limon I&II), GE 1.7 MW (Limon III) |
| Nameplate capacity | 600.6 MW |
| Capacity factor | 39.4% (average 2015-2018) |
| Annual net output | 2,072 GW·h |
Facility details
The facility is located about 80 miles east of Denver. It was constructed in three phases, and extends across western Lincoln County and crosses a few miles into Elbert County. About 45 miles (72 km) of 345 kV transmission line connect the wind farm substations to the Xcel Energy substation near Deer Trail in Arapahoe County.
Limon I and Limon II were constructed by Battner Energy, and came on line in late 2012.[3] The 400 MW facility consists of twin 200 MW projects, each using 125 – GE 1.6 MW wind turbines that occupy more than 55,000 acres. Two new substations were also constructed.
Limon III came into service in 2014 with an additional 200 MW of capacity. It consists of 118 – GE 1.7 MW wind turbines occupying over 49,600 acres. An approximately ten mile, 345 kV transmission line connects the Limon III substation to the Limon II substation.[4]
NextEra Energy Resources developed and financed, and continues to own and operate the facility.[5]
Electricity production
| Year | Limon I (200 MW Unit) [6] | Limon II (200 MW Unit) [7] | Limon III (200.6 MW Unit) [8] | Total Annual MW·h |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 125,797 | 77,870 | 203,667 | |
| 2013 | 680,451 | 601,617 | 1,282,068 | |
| 2014 | 739,245 | 641,947 | 245,588 | 1,626,780 |
| 2015 | 644,237 | 547,054 | 758,937 | 1,950,288 |
| 2016 | 701,195 | 605,023 | 792,326 | 2,098,544 |
| 2017 | 707,472 | 614,526 | 804,281 | 2,126,729 |
| 2018 | 711,321 | 602,542 | 798,806 | 2,112,669 |
| Average Annual Production (years 2015-2018) ---> | 2,071,930 | |||
External links
References
- "Colorado Wind Power". Excel Energy. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
- Mark Jaffe (June 27, 2011). "Xcel Buys Lower Cost Wind Power From NextEra Energy Farm Near Limon". The Denver Post.
- "Limon 400 MW Wind Farm". Battner Energy. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
- Will Bublitz (January 10, 2014). "More Wind Towers Coming to Lincoln County". The Limon Leader.
- "Limon Wind Energy Centefr - Fact Sheet" (PDF). NextEra Energy Resources. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
- "Limon I, Annual". Electricity Data Browser. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
- "Limon II, Annual". Electricity Data Browser. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
- "Limon III, Annual". Electricity Data Browser. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
