A wind energy project from Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, located in Texas, has begun commercial operations; the 182 megawatts of capacity wind farm will provide clean electricity for the equivalent of 54,000 state homes.
Firstly, the project is called Maryneal project; it locates in Nolan County, Texas. The project’s capacity uplifts Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions’ U.S. wind capacity to 3000MW.
Secondly, Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions is a non-regulated commercial brand of Duke Energy; the brand company specializes in helping corporations reduce power costs; lower emissions, and also increase resiliency.
Thirdly, most of the output from the Maryneal project is already sold via a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA). Back in 2019, the company Sprint, now part of T-Mobile, signed a 12-year VPPA for 173.3 MW of the wind generated by the project.
Moreover, the VPPA will enable T-Mobile to significantly reduce its carbon footprint and will match approximately 9% of T-Mobile’s energy consumption. The agreement will settle on an as-generated basis tied to Maryneal Windpower’s real-time energy output.
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Wind energy from Maryneal to help T-Mobile reduce its environmental footprint
In addition, the agreement will complement T-Mobile’s long-standing sustainability strategy; which includes reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; also, conserving natural resources such as water and paper; also, eliminating waste from all corners of the business and responsibly recycling waste when possible.
Furthermore, Schneider Electric Energy and Sustainability Services advised T-Mobile on the Maryneal VPPA, supporting project selection and negotiations. On the other hand, Wanzek Construction was the contractor for the project; while Nordex USA supplied 38 4.8-MW wind turbines for the site. Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions will perform the site’s long-term maintenance and operations.
Additionally, about the relevance of the agreement for T-Mobile, Brigitta Witt, company’s vice president of Social Impact and Sustainability, said. “Projects like Maryneal Windpower play a huge role in T-Mobile’s commitments to fight climate change; in fact, it bring us another step closer to achieving our goal of using 100% renewable energy by the end of 2021.”
On the other hand, Chris Fallon, president of Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, said. “Wind projects such as Maryneal contribute to a cleaner, stronger economy and help create a more diverse energy infrastructure in Texas.”
Finally, Duke Energy plans to reach 16 GW of renewable energy by the end of 2025 and 47 GW by 2050.
