From sailing ships, grinding corn and wheat, pumping water and powering saw mills, wind has been a source of generating power. Today, wind power has emerged as an important industry that contributes much more than just electricity. Wind farms that dot Oklahoma contribute important tax revenue for schools and communities, provide income for land owners and creates jobs. OG&E has been a leader in helping the industry get started when in 2003 we purchased the power rights to Sooner Wind Farm near Woodward, Oklahoma. Since then we have developed additional wind resources including Centennial Wind Farm, wholly owned by OG&E. OG&E has a total wind capacity exceeding 800 megawatts which is approximately 12% of our total electric generation.
OG&E is particularly proud of its partnership with the University of Oklahoma on the development of OU Spirit near Woodward and the new OSU Cowboy Wind Farm near Blackwell. Both universities have exhibited extraordinary leadership in making their respective campuses national examples of environmental stewardship.
Attracting new talent to work in the wind industry and in the OG&E Wind Power program has provided OG&E the opportunity to offer scholarships to students interested in pursuring renewable energy studies. These new management and technical job opportunities did not exist even a few years ago. We believe that wind power is a "wind-win" for Oklahoma, our customers and our energy future.
