Hualapai Tribe - 2010 Project

NOTE: Project pages are being updated regularly to reflect changes, if any; however, some of the information may be dated.

Summary

The project will build on the potential for renewable energy development on the Hualapai Reservation that was identified during the Phase l renewable energy resource assessment conducted by the Hualapai Tribe since 2005.

This Phase II Project will advance the development of the Hualapai resources by narrowing the focus to the Nelson and Grand Canyon West sites, both of which have wind development potential. The project will encompass all final and conceptual design activities necessary to scope and build up a complete wind energy program for the Hualapai Tribe.

Project Description

Background

The Hualapai Tribe began renewable energy resource assessments in 2004 with funding from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mineral and Energy Development Program. During that time, developable wind energy resources have been identified in two separate locations on the Hualapai Reservation. During the Phase l assessments, data was collected from several wind data recording sites and analyzed by a respected wind energy assessment consultant. The project also conducted preliminary environmental assessments, market studies, and transmission and interconnection studies, and attempted to find willing industry partners to develop Hualapai resources.

Grand Canyon West Resort Corporation (GCRC) is a wholly owned tribal corporation, chartered to conduct tourism business in the Hualapai Reservation. GCRC has a coincident interest in the development of the Grand Canyon West renewable energy resources because those wind and solar resources can serve as a power source for GCRC facilities. In addition, the power line that would export renewable energy to the grid would also provide a grid connection for GCRC. GCRC has committed to support the proposed project and contribute to the design and permitting of the power line interconnection.

Project Objectives

Phase ll will advance the development of wind energy resources from the initial assessment and feasibility study phase to the business plan development phase. The project will advance the development of the Hualapai renewable energy resources to the "shovel ready" condition, the impact of which would be the speedy implementation of construction activities as soon as a power purchase agreement has been secured between the project developer and a buyer. Other potential impacts include the motivation of major transmission system owners and private transmission developers to build transmission capacity to meet the needs of renewable energy development in northern Arizona.

Scope

This project will advance the state of development of the Nelson and Grand Canyon West wind resources area by:

• Completing advanced turbine siting and infrastructure engineering
• Completing an environmental assessment and an avian impact field study in preparation for a full environmental impact study (EIS)
• Completing transmission and interconnection studies and applying for transmission service with transmission providers
• Identifying and completing negotiations with a wind energy developer in advance of executing a development agreement
• Hiring a consultant to work with tribal leaders to develop the financial capacity for the Hualapai Tribe to enter into renewable energy development agreements and take advantage of complex project ownership and financing incentives
• Look for opportunities to market Hualapai wind energy
• Seek cooperation with regional renewable energy generation projects in an effort to identify common interests and advance renewable energy generation in northern Arizona

Project Location

The project will advance the development of Hualapai wind resources at the Nelson and Grand Canyon West sites on the Hualapai Reservation. The reservation encompasses about 1 million acres along 108 miles of the Grand Canyon and occupies part of three northern Arizona counties: Coconino, Yavapai, and Mohave.

Project Status

The project was competitively selected under the Tribal Energy Program's fiscal year 2009 funding opportunity announcement, "Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Deployment in Indian Country," and started in July 2010.

The October 2010 and November 2011 project status report provides more information.