Sargent & Lundy and Horizon Wind Energy Contract to Interconnect Wind Farms

Horizon Wind Energy has selected Sargent & Lundy LLC to design the 345-kV interconnection switchyards, the 345/34.5-kV project substations, the 345-kV transmission lines and 34.5-kV underground collector systems for the first phases of the Top Crop Wind Farm project in Illinois and the Meadow Lake Wind Farm in Indiana. The first phases of Top Crop and Meadow Lake will have 300 MW and 200 MW, respectively.

The Top Crop Wind Farm will connect to an existing Commonwealth Edison 345-kV transmission line. The Meadow Lake Wind Farm will connect to an existing American Electric Power 345-kV transmission line. Both projects will have provisions for expansion as the wind farms are built-out to their ultimate capacity.

Sargent & Lundy’s scope of work for these projects includes electrical and structural engineering, grading and drainage design, and support for procurement of major materials and equipment. Sargent & Lundy’s scope also includes coordination with the interconnecting utilities in regard to standards and protection and control schemes. The schedule for engineering and procurement supports an April 2009 start of construction and a project in-service date of November 2009 for both wind farms.