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, one of the Northwest's largest, can generate up to 502 kilowatts of electricity. Puget Sound Energy’s Renewable Energy Center offers a first-hand look at how these elements are turned into electricity.

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The Renewable Energy Center

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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

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

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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 tour 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

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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.

  • 2022 Renewable Energy Center Events

    Run Like the Wind

    Please join us on May 7th, 2022 for the Run Like The Wind Trail Running Festival at the Wild Horse Wind Facility!

    Run for Good Racing Company puts on a great event, with 5K, 10K, and 10 Mile options, winding along the trails, paths, and roads at Wild Horse. This race benefits the hard working volunteers of Kittitas County Search and Rescue, and helps fund needed supplies for the program.

    These races will be challenging, with a lot of elevation gain and a few tough trails, but gorgeous with views of Mt. Rainier, the Columbia River, and Eastern Washington. Our race motto is “Uphill, Into the Wind, Both Ways”! You can also go on a guided wind turbine tour or wildflower walk, to further experience the awesome power of the wind and the beauty of the shrub steppe. Live music, refreshments courtesy of Iron Horse Brewery, and great food await you at the finish line.

    Space is limited to 200 participants so sign up now at run-like-the-wind.com.

    We also love volunteers! Aid stations, kid’s race, and indoor volunteers needed.

    May 7th

    8:00am Registration and packet pickup opens
    8:10am Tours by request
    9:30am 10 Miler Start 
    9:45am Kids dash start 
    10:00am Public Tour
    10:00am 10K start 
    10:00am 10K start 
    11:30am Lunch/Most racers finished
    12:00pm Awards
    12:30pm Wildflower Walk


    Wildflower and Wind Power Walks

    Join us while we explore the beauty of the shrub steppe in bloom! RSVP Required: Email with party size and which session you would like to attend (morning/afternoon, tour, presentation, or walk).

    May 8th

    10:00am Wind Turbine Tour
    11:00am Wildflower and Wind Power Presentation
    11:00am Wildflower and Wind Power Walk
    2-3pm Wind Turbine Tour
    3-3:30pm Wildflower and Wind Power Presentation
    3:30-5pm Wildflower and Wind Power Walk

    May 15th
     Afternoon session only

    2-3pm Wind Turbine Tour
    3-3:30pm Wildflower and Wind Power Presentation
    3:30-5pm Wildflower and Wind Power Walk

    Wildflower Walks are also available midweek by appointment from late-April through May.

    • What to Bring: Wear sturdy closed toe shoes or boots and dress for both the wind and sun. It can still be quite chilly in the spring. Bring a water bottle, snacks, camera, hiking poles, or whatever else you will need to enjoy your walk.
    • Distance: While our walks cover less than a mile, they will be on rocky uneven terrain, and may not be suitable for all visitors.


    Flower Moon Program & Wildflower Walk

    Imagine the Flower Moon rising over fields of wildflowers while Ranger Emily explains the mysteries of the moon. Sounds pretty magical! Join us as we explore the beauty of the shrub steppe in bloom paired with a Moon Program with Ranger Emily. The full moon in May is often called the Flower Moon as it corresponds with beautiful spring wildflowers!

    • RSVP Required: Email with party size.

    May 15th

    5-6pm Wind Turbine Tour
    6:15-8:15pm Wildflower and Wind Power Walk
    8:30-9:15pm Full Flower Moon Program with Ranger Emily
    • What to Bring: Wear sturdy closed toe shoes or boots and dress for both the wind and cool weather. It can still be quite chilly in the spring, and the temperatures drop quickly at night. Bring a water bottle, snacks, camera, hiking poles, or whatever else you will need to enjoy your walk. Camp or lawn chairs, warm coats, and blankets may be needed for the Moon Program.
    • Distance: While our walks cover less than a mile, they will be on rocky uneven terrain, and may not be suitable for all visitors.

     

  • Hunting

    The Wild Horse Wind Facility is located in Game Management Unit (GMU) 329 in eastern Kittitas County. PSE allows public hunting at Wild Horse during all legal hunting seasons that fall between April 1 and November 30.

    HUNTING RESERVATION PERMITS ARE REQUIRED for hunting within the wind facility boundary. Hunting reservation permits are issued online only through WDFW's Hunt by Reservation Program. Hunting permits are no longer issued at the Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center (visitor center). Permits, maps and rules are all available online.

    Reserve a hunting reservation permit

    For more information about hunting at Wild Horse please call 509-786-1923 ext. 109 or 509-964-7813.



    Disabled Hunters

    PSE offers special access opportunities to hunters with lower extremity mobility disabilities through a limited permit drawing administered by WDFW's Road Access Entry Program. If drawn for a permit, hunters will be issued a special use permit by PSE allowing access to drive into a designated closed or gated area where other hunters must walk in. Application submissions for the drawing begin the first week of June and must be submitted to WDFW by July 31 in order to be eligible for the drawing.

    Apply for the drawing

    If not drawn for special access, disabled hunters must apply for a hunting reservation permit though WDFW's Hunt by Reservation Program if they wish to still hunt at Wild Horse and MUST follow the same rules as non-disabled hunters.

    For more information about disabled hunting opportunities at Wild Horse please call 360-902-2349 or 509-964-7813.



    FREE Hunter Breakfast

    Please join PSE and the Kittitas County Field & Stream Club at the Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center from 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. the Friday before the Modern Firearm General Elk Season for a free hunter breakfast!

  • Recreation (non-hunting)

    Lands within the Wild Horse Wind Facility are also open to non-hunting recreational activities such as hiking, birdwatching and horseback riding from April 1 – November 30 by written permission only.

    RECREATION ACCESS PERMITS ARE REQUIRED for public recreation within the wind facility boundary. Recreation access permits are available online and at the Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center April-October 31st, 9:00-5:00pm.

    Print out a recreation access permit online

    For more information about non-hunting recreation at Wild Horse please call 509-964-7813 or 509-964-7815.