PORTLAND — For the first time, wind farms plugged into the Bonneville Power Administration network exceeded the output last week of hydroelectric dams in the Northwest.
The Oregonian reports it happened early one morning time when the BPA had dialed down hydro generation because demand was light.
BPA spokesman Doug Johnson said the milestone is a reminder the region still needs a long-term solution to manage an oversupply of power at times from wind and water sources.
A policy manager with an advocacy group, Cameron Yourkowski of the Renewable Northwest Project, says the wind power can lighten the load at a time of year when water flows are low.
