Southwestern to Be 100 Percent Wind-Powered

Southwestern University and the City of Georgetown signed an agreement today that makes the University 100 percent wind powered for the next 18 years.

AEP's Trent Mesa Wind Farm near Abilene will be one source of wind power for Southwestern. (Photo credit: AEP Energy Partners)

The agreement makes Southwestern the first university in Texas to have all of its power supplied by wind energy and one of only six universities in the country to have a totally “green” source of power, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“During recent weeks attention has been focused on how the world can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By taking the bold step to obtaining all of their electricity from wind power, Southwestern University becomes a leader in showing the nation how it can be done,” said Paul Rowland, executive director of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Wind-generated power and renewable energy credits will be provided by the City of Georgetown through an agreement with AEP Energy Partners, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S. The electricity will come from the Southwest Mesa and South Trent wind farms in West Texas. The wind farms represent more than 175 megawatts of capacity and are comprised of 151 wind turbines, each of which can generate between 0.7 to 2.3 megawatts of electricity. Power is conveyed through transmission lines to customers such as the City of Georgetown.

Mayor George Garver and President Jake Schrum signed a resolution affirming the wind agreement.

Southwestern President Jake B. Schrum said the agreement will help Southwestern toward its long-term goal of being carbon neutral, which it promised to work toward last February when he signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. This document formally commits campuses to eliminate their greenhouse gas emissions over time and educate students about climate neutrality.

“Since Southwestern students visited with City representatives about renewable energy last year, both the City and Southwestern have worked diligently to bring this agreement to reality,” Schrum said. “We hope Southwestern will be an inspiration to other universities to advance sustainability.”

“With this agreement, we will supply Southwestern University, one of our largest customers, with 100 percent renewable wind power through 2028,” says Jim Briggs, Georgetown’s assistant city manager for utility operations. Southwestern University’s energy use is equivalent to the demand from 450 homes. The agreement establishes a fixed energy cost for Southwestern that is competitive with the City’s standard electric rates.

Southwestern's energy use is equivalent to 450 homes. (Photo credit: Lucas Adams)

Briggs says that the agreement also helps the City move toward the goal of meeting 30 percent of Georgetown’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2030. “This is the kind of renewable energy partnership we want to expand in the future. This is only a beginning,” says Briggs.

Richard Anderson, vice president for fiscal affairs at Southwestern, noted that having its utility price locked in for the next 18 years will help the University considerably in its strategic planning. “We’re proud of this partnership with the City of Georgetown,” Anderson said. “With this wind energy agreement, we are making a strong statement reflecting Southwestern’s commitment to conservation and sustainability, and our concern for the environment for the long term.”

The wind power agreement for Southwestern was the result of initiative by Students for Environmental Activism and Knowledge, an environmental student group at Southwestern. The students met with Assistant City Manager Jim Briggs and Southwestern administrators to investigate the idea of powering Southwestern with renewable energy.

At the announcement, President Schrum recognized the key role of Southwestern students from SEAK who were in the council chamber. “What’s driving this [agreement] are these bright, moral, and courageous students. They were the ones that came down here and met with you. Our students have been leading this effort.”

Pictured below are Southwestern students in SEAK who attended the announcement.