Westar Energy acquires rights to construct new wind farm in western Kansas

Westar acquires rights for new W. Kansas wind farm

TOPEKA, Kan. — Westar Energy Inc. says it has acquired rights for a new wind farm in western Kansas near Spearville.

The company said Tuesday it has reached an agreement with Infinity Wind Power to develop the site for up to 500 megawatts of wind energy. The first phase is expected to be about 200 megawatts and be completed late next year or in 2012.

The project’s timeline depends on how fast new transmission lines are constructed in the western part of the state.

Westar owns or buys power from three other wind farms in Kansas. The company owns a 99 megawatt wind farm near Leoti, has a 100 megawatt share in a farm near Nashville, Kan., and buys 96 megawatts from one near Concordia.