USA - Iberdola Renewables announces 2nd wind farm in Brookings County

Iberdrola Renewables announced today that construction is underway on a 50 megawatt (MW) wind farm, the Buffalo Ridge Wind Power Project near White, South Dakota. The project, expected to be complete in 2009 contingent upon passage of the Production Tax Credit, will export enough energy for approximately 15,000 homes each year.

"The construction of yet another large-scale wind energy project in Brookings County by Iberdrola Renewables represents South Dakota's willingness to be a significant contributor to a new energy economy that lessens our dependence on foreign oil and enhances our national security," Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin said. "Not only will Brookings County benefit from the economic development and jobs that accompany this new project, customers in Indiana will gain from utilizing this clean, renewable source of energy that symbolizes the future of our country's energy economy. I offer my best wishes to Iberdrola Renewables as they move ahead with Buffalo Ridge and will continue my work at the federal level to ensure that the incentives and support are available for future projects that capitalize on the role rural America can and will play in moving our country toward greater energy independence."

The power generated from this South Dakota wind farm will be purchased by Northern Indiana Public Service Company (Nipsco), serving more than 445,000 electric customers across the northern third of Indiana. "With our successful MinnDakota Wind Power Project also operating in Brookings County, Iberdrola Renewables is delighted to once again bring jobs and additional property taxes to the community," said Tim Seck, director of development for Iberdrola Renewables. "In this case, South Dakota is able to export clean, renewable wind power to our customer Nipsco just as South Dakota farmers export corn and soybeans."

"Increasing Nipsco's renewable energy capacity with wind power is a positive step for the environment and for our customers," said Eileen O'Neill Odum, Chief Executive Officer of Nipsco. "A competitive bidding process was conducted before selecting a supplier, and Buffalo Ridge and Barton Windpower offered the most cost-effective and reliable sources of wind energy for our customers." The Buffalo Ridge Wind Power Project will include 50 Suzlon turbines. As with the MinnDakota wind project, Iberdrola Renewables will build and operate the new wind farm.

About Iberdrola Renewables:
Iberdrola Renewables is currently the world's leading provider of wind power with more than 8,000 MW of wind power in operation globally now. Between 2008 and 2012, the company will invest $26.8 billion globally to achieve installed capacity of close to 18,000 MW and production of more than 42,000 GWh. Iberdrola Renewables will invest $8 billion in the U.S. between 2008 and 2012 and plans to install 1,000 MW of wind power each year in the U.S.

About Nipsco:
Nipsco, with headquarters in Merrillville, Ind., is one of the 10 energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. With over 712,000 natural gas customers and 445,000 electric customers across the northern third of Indiana, Nipsco is the largest natural gas distribution company and the second largest electric distribution company in the state. NiSource distribution companies serve 3.8 million natural gas and electric customers primarily in nine states.