Turbines Arrive at Tucannon Wind Project

DAYTON - Trucks carrying wind turbine components began moving along Highway 12 through Waitsburg and Dayton last week on their way to the new Tucannon River Wind Project. The project is being constructed north of Dayton by Portland General Electric Co.

According to Franco Albi, PGE's project manager, deliveries to the site are expected to continue through the summer and end by early October. "The end date could vary slightly, depending on weather and other factors," he said.

Shipments to the western part of the project will turn off Highway 12 at Eager Road, a mile northeast of Dayton, and travel along Thorn Hollow Road to Whetstone road. Shipments to the eastern part of the project will turn off Highway

12 at the Whetstone road interchange.

Albi also said that construction of the operations building for the project is underway, and is expected to be completed by August. It is located on Mead Road, near the center of the project.

The project is located north of Dayton and west of Highway 12. Construction of roads and tower bases for the Tucannon River Project began last fall.

A total of 116 wind turbines will be installed, having a maximum generating capacity of 276 megawatts. The expected cost of the project is approximately $500 million. Albi said that the project is expected to begin generating power in early 2015.

A schedule of trips planned for bringing components to the new Tucannon River WInd Project can be found on the Columbia County website at columbiaco.com.