Superior Renewable Energy LLC (Houston, TX) has signed contracts with two San Diego County tribes to develop the region's first wind-driven electric turbines. The company plans to erect at least 38 turbines on the Campo and Ewiiaapaayp reservations east of San Diego by 2006. It is Superior Renewable Energy's first project.
Each three-blade turbine would be 20 ft and would generate up to 2 MW of electricity, enough to power about 2,000 homes. Pending approval by state and federal authorities, the $80 million project would create the nation's largest wind farm on American Indian land. Similar plans are in the works with tribes in New Mexico, Texas and three other states.
Under 20-year contracts, the tribes would receive royalty payments from the electricity sale proceeds. A purchase agreement between Superior and San Diego Gas & Electric is pending before the state Public Utilities Commission.
