Orrville moves to secure 6 MW of wind energy from Blue Creek for 2027–29

Orrville — The City Council on Oct. 7 moved forward with and approved Resolution 30-24, authorizing a contract with American Municipal Power to purchase 6 megawatts of energy for 2027–2029 from the Blue Creek Wind Energy Project.

Utilities Director Frederick presented charts showing the city’s annual load profile and said the 6 MW contract is a fixed forward purchase for three years, not a purchase of generating assets. He said the contract would add roughly 4–6% of the city’s energy supply in 2027–29 and help reduce exposure to energy-market price volatility when the city is otherwise exposed.

Frederick described capacity-factor expectations — wind facilities produce intermittently — and explained that while the contract specifies 6 MW of nameplate capacity, the effective continuous contribution averaged over time is smaller (roughly a 30% capacity factor, which he estimated equates to about 2 MW on a 24/7 basis). Frederick said the utility previously had a long-term arrangement with the same developer and that the proposed contract was a modest, short-term hedge rather than a replacement for baseload resources.

Councilors asked technical questions but did not request additional delay; the council adopted Resolution 30-24. Frederick said the utility would not sign a final contract until December and that the city must respond to its association by the end of November if it wishes to proceed with the allocation.

The council's action leaves staff able to finalize contract terms in keeping with association timelines and the city's procurement practices.