Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility and Renewable Energy Center
The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility and Renewable Energy Center is located 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington.
The wind turbines at Wild Horse can generate up to 273 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The solar array can generate up to 502 kilowatts of electricity. Puget Sound Energy’s Renewable Energy Center offers a first-hand look at how nature's wind and sun are turned into electricity.
DIRECTIONS TO SITE (PDF VERSION)
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The Renewable Energy Center
The wind and sun of Kittitas County are a tremendous natural resource for producing clean, renewable energy. Set high on a ridge, the Renewable Energy Center provides visitors with an up-close look at the facility’s 149 wind turbines, as well as 360 degree views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Hood and the Columbia River Basin.
Take a tour, or explore the educational displays to learn more about wind and solar technology, as well as the area's unique natural history. Outdoor trails lead to a solar array, blade, turbine generator, gearbox and additional displays.
Hours
The visitor center (Renewable Energy Center) is open April-October 31st, 9:00-5:00pm
From April through November, self-guided tour packets for the outside exhibits are available via email or in the box near the front door.
From December through March, the Wild Horse Wind Facility is closed to all public access. Recreational access with an Access Permit will resume April 1st.
Tours
Weather permitting, free guided tours depart daily, from April through October 31, from the Renewable Energy Center at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. No reservation is needed for these tours. To schedule a separate group tour of Wild Horse, please call 509-964-7815.
Join us for a 60 minute walking tour that explores the solar array, wind turbine blade, turbine generator and gearbox, and lets you look inside the base of an active wind turbine!
- Closed-toed shoes are REQUIRED.
- The tour covers a 1/2 mile on gravel trails. Tour participants with mobility issues can arrange vehicle access to the base of the turbine.
- Dress for the weather. Wind speeds average 17 mph and it is typically cooler on the ridge.
- All participants must sign a liability form. Minors must have the liability form signed by a parent or guardian to participate in the tour.
- Tours can be canceled or modified at any time due to inclement weather, high winds or any unsafe conditions.
Please review the tour liability form and Visitor Information and Checklist for a complete list of rules.
Presentations
Presentations are available by appointment. The presentation covers renewable technology, economics, construction and siting, and takes 45 - 60 minutes.
Conference Room
The center features a conference facility with a meeting room accommodating 48 people. This area is used for wind and solar presentations to visiting schools, businesses and community groups. It can also be reserved for meetings and retreats. Large events such as weddings cannot be accommodated.
For more details, please read our Wild Horse Conference Room Amenities.
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2025 Renewable Energy Center Events
For public safety, the Wild Horse Wind Facility and Renewable Energy Center are closed for the remainder of 2025 due to damage to a wind turbine tower.
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Hunting
The Wild Horse Wind Facility and Beacon Ridge Road are closed to hunting and through access for the remainder of 2025 due to damage to a wind turbine tower.
Please refer to these maps for alternative access to GMU 329:
Naneum Colockum
Whiskey Dick QuilomeneWDFW advises that Green Dot roads on the Whiskey Dick/Quilomene Wildlife Areas are generally much rougher than those on the Colockum Wildlife Area and Naneum Ridge State Forest, and could be particularly challenging for vehicles pulling trailers.
For questions, please email wildhorse@pse.com.
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Recreation (non-hunting)
The Wild Horse Wind Facility and Beacon Ridge Road are closed to recreation and through access for the remainder of 2025 due to damage to a wind turbine tower.
Please refer to these maps for alternative access to the Whiskey Dick/Quilomene and Naneum/Colockum Green Dot Roads:
Naneum Colockum
Whiskey Dick QuilomeneWDFW advises that Green Dot roads on the Whiskey Dick/Quilomene Wildlife Areas are generally much rougher than those on the Colockum Wildlife Area and Naneum Ridge State Forest, and could be particularly challenging for vehicles pulling trailers.
For questions, please email wildhorse@pse.com.
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Resources
Want to know more? Read up with the resources listed below.
- American Clean Power State wind industry fact sheets, U.S. Annual Market Reports, webinars, wildlife, permitting, and more.
- Vestas: Information on current Vestas wind turbine models and technology.
- Vestas E-Learning: Short cartoons about the wind-energy industry, construction of components, and the science behind the technology.
- Department of Energy Solar and wind information, renewables for your home, and industry updates.
- Wind Energy Education and Training Programs Wind energy education and training programs in the United States at community colleges, universities, and other institutions.
- U.S. Wind Speed Maps Color coded wind speed maps for each state.
- Wind Energy Curricula and Teaching Materials Curriculum resource list including KidWind, 4H, PBS, universities, and more.
- Solar Washington Information on solar in Washington for homeowners and businesses.
- Department of Energy Education Resources Student educational resources.