The Ohio Power Siting Board on March 9 approved an extended construction deadline for Hog Creek Wind Farm LLC to builld its approximately 50-MW wind project in Hardin County, Ohio.
In 2009, JW Great Lakes Wind LLC (JWGL) filed an application for a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need to construct this wind facility in Hardin County. A March 2010 board approval provided that the certificate will become invalid if JWGL has not commenced a continuous course of construction of the facility within five years of the issuance of the certificate. In 2010, the board granted an application filed by JWGL and Hog Creek Wind Farm to transfer all of the assets of the project, including the certificate, permits, and other authorizations pertaining to the facility, from JWGL to Hog Creek.
On Feb. 13 of this year, Hog Creek filed a motion to extend the term of the certificate for a period of 36 months. Hog Creek noted that market forces beyond its control have been largely responsible for the delay in the development of the facility. Hog Creek said that suppressed electricity prices undercut its ability to enter into a purchase power agreement for the project’s energy and renewable energy credits at a price sufficient to support the financing of the project. Additionally, Hog Creek argued that its significant and continued investment in the project demonstrates its commitment to the project’s completion. No party opposed Hog Creek’s motion.
“The Board finds that Hog Creek’s motion to extend the term of the certificate is reasonable and should be granted,” said the Marh 9 order. Hog Creek’s motion to extend its certificate for 36 months to March 22, 2018, was granted.
The 2010 request to transfer the certificate to Hog Creek said that the sole managing member of Hog Creek was at that point JW Great Lakes Wind LLC, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of juwi Wind GmbH. The juwi North America website identifies Hog Creek as one of its projects.
Notable is that the board in August 2011, in a separate decision, approved an 18-MW second phase of the Hog Creek Wind project. That later decision was not up for extension in the March 9 order.
