The Denton Public Utilities Board on Sept. 29 unanimously recommended City Council approve a 15-year power purchase agreement for the Blue Summit 1 wind generation facility, which would add roughly 140 megawatts of wind capacity to the city's renewable portfolio.

Jose Reitan, executive manager of power supply for DME, presented the proposal as part of RFP 86 78. He said Blue Summit 1 is an already-operating, repowered wind facility near Vernon in the Texas Panhandle that would provide generation at night and into the afternoon, complementing Denton’s existing and planned solar resources. Pricing presented to the board was inclusive of current federal production tax credits.

Reitan said the facility is owned and operated by NextEra and that, if added, the city’s renewables portfolio would reach about 594 megawatts of contracted energy. The proposed 15-year term would extend to January 2040. Staff recommended the board forward the PPA to council for approval.

Board members praised the complementary timing of the proposed wind and battery projects and moved to recommend council approve the Blue Summit 1 PPA. The motion carried unanimously; the recommendation will go to council for final approval.