Duke Energy Building 3rd Wyoming Wind Farm

MATT JOYCE

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Duke Energy Corp. said Wednesday that it plans to begin construction this spring of a 20-turbine wind plant near Cheyenne that will provide power for two regional utilities.

The Charlotte, N.C., company said it hopes to begin producing power at the 42-megawatt Silver Sage Windpower Project by the end of the year. Spokesman Greg Efthimiou said the necessary permits are in place to begin construction.

The plant will be located about 15 miles west of Cheyenne, adjacent to Duke Energy's 29-megawatt Happy Jack wind farm. The company plans to complete a third Wyoming wind project, the 99-megawatt Campbell Hill Windpower Project near Casper, by the end of the year.

"The Silver Sage project is another sign of the momentum we're building in our renewable energy business," said Wouter van Kempen, president of Duke Energy Generation Services.

Black Hills Corp. said its subsidiary, Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power, will purchase 30 megawatts of Silver Sage energy under a 20-year agreement. The Platte River Power Authority, based in Fort Collins, Colo., has agreed to purchase the remaining 12 megawatts.