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$1.3 billion loan to Caithness Energy's Shepherds Flat wind farm, said to be the world's largest to date. The loan guarantee comes through the Recovery Act-backed Financial Institution Partnership Program (FIPP), the funding conduit DOE uses to guarantee up to 80% of loans provided by qualified financial institutions for renewable energy projects. The 845 MW Shepherds Flat project in eastern Oregon includes 338 GE 2.5xl high efficiency turbines, their first appearance in the U.S. The turbines, which have been used in Europe and Asia, feature high reliability and maintainability and what GE refers to as "seamless grid integration." Energy Secretary Steven Chu commented "This project is part of the Administration's commitment to doubling our renewably energy generation by 2012 while putting Americans to work in communities across the country." Caithness says the project will create 400 construction jobs and 35 permanent on-site jobs. So far, DOE has issued loan guarantees or conditional commitments to 15 clean energy projects for a combined total of $15.9 billion.
Quick Take: The Energy Department and smart grid stimulus funding have become political targets as elections near, so it's timely to see evidence of DOE's continuing commitment to renewables and jobs.
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