Wind project on Navajo Nation moving forward

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) – Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. and the tribe’s utility authority have signed legislation to establish leases and financing agreements for the development of a wing energy project at the Big Boquillas Ranch.

The Boquillas Wind project will be located some 80 miles west of Flagstaff on ranch lands owned by the tribe and on Arizona trust lands. The project’s first phase of approximately 85 megawatts is being designed for construction in 2011.

When completed, it will use about 50 state-of-the-art wind turbines and generate power equivalent to the energy needs of up to 20,000 homes. Power from the project will be marketed to Arizona and regional utilities.

The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority supplies electricity, water, solar power, natural gas and wastewater treatment to residents throughout the 26,000-square-mile Navajo reservation which spreads across parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.