A new 477-megawatt wind farm has been green-lit to be built on the Chevelon Butte Ranch south of Winslow on the border of Coconino County and Navajo County. sPower, a Utah based utility-scale energy developer, had the proposed wind farm unanimously approved by Navajo County, the Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Arizona Corporation Commission. The decision coincided with Arizona Public Service (APS) announcing a plan to use 45% renewable energy by 2030 and to be 100% carbon-free by 2050.

The proposal faced little public opposition that was based on the visual impact it would have on the landscape’s scenic beauty, but the wind farm is generally far from local residents. When sPower begins construction sometime later this year, hundreds of temporary jobs along with some full-time jobs will be created. APS claims that once the wind farm is complete and a contract is signed with an energy provider they will have met their 2025 goal of renewable energy accounting for 15% of their energy portfolio.

Although Arizona is the home to three other utility-scale wind farms, they pale in comparison to what sPower is planning. The Chevelon Butte Wind Farm is projected to generate 477 megawatts on its own. This would almost double the total amount of renewable energy generated by utility-scale wind farms in Arizona.

Name Location Energy Production (Megawatts) Red Horse II Wind Farm Near Tucson 30 Dry Lake Wind Farm Near Snowflake 127 Perrin Ranch Wind Farm Near Williams 99.2

Total

256.2 Utility-scale wind farm energy production in AZ

The Chevelon Butte Ranch is 20 miles south of Winslow and owned by the O’Haco family. While providing renewable energy and jobs to northern Arizona, the leasing agreement will also help the ranch sustain operations. According to a map created by the federal Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Coconino County is prime territory for an effective wind farm. In relation to the map, the planned location for the wind farm is in the region southeast of Flagstaff. Terrance Unrein, senior permitting manager at sPower, is excited about the project and hopes it will “bring decades of economic benefits with the largest wind farm in Arizona.”

– Grant DeLisle