Wind farms in Oregon are rapidly growing in size. Portland General Electric Company (PGE) just finished the final phase of a 450-MW wind farm in northern Oregon.

The $1 billion project located on 25,000 acres was built in three phases. Phase 1, completed in December 2007, is comprised of 76 Vestas wind turbines and has an installed capacity of 125 MW. Phase 2, comprised of 65 Siemens wind turbines with an installed capacity of approximately 150 MW, was completed and placed in-service in August 2009. The final phase of the project, completed in August 2010, added an additional 76 Siemens wind turbines and installed capacity of 175 MW to the project.

In order to meet Oregon’s renewable energy target of 25% by 2025, PGE’s current Integrated Resource Plan calls for renewable resources to make up approximately 9 percent of the company’s total retail load by the end of 2010. That plan includes the completion of Biglow Canyon and other existing wind power purchase agreements.

The biggest wind farm planned for Oregon (actually the whole U.S.) is the 845-MW Shepard’s Flat project. Construction is expected to be completed in 2012.