First Wind secures approval to divest solar energy to Idaho utility

First Wind has secured approval from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for power purchase agreements with Idaho Power Company.

Under the 20-year contracts, Idaho Power will purchase power generated at five proposed solar projects totaling 100MW which are spread across southern Idaho.

The projects, each with an installed capacity of 20MW, will deliver electricity to Ada, Elmore, Owyhee and Power counties.

First Wind estimates to have all the projects in commercial operation by the end of 2016.

The five projects combined are projected to generate about 250,000 MW hours of energy per year, enough for 30,000 homes.

First Wind CEO Paul Gaynor said: "These five projects will deliver clean, renewable solar energy to homes and businesses in Idaho at a cost-competitive price.

"The new long-term contracts with Idaho Power Company will enable us to move forward quickly and create a source of major economic activity for Idaho through good construction jobs and significant local tax revenues."

First Wind presently operates four solar projects in Massachusetts, and has further facilities projects in development in Hawaii and Utah.

In Idaho, the company operates the 45MW Power County Wind project on behalf of a third-party owner.

Boston-based First Wind is operating or constructing renewable energy projects throughout the US, with combined capacity of about 1.3GW, enough to power over 375,000 homes a year.