AWEA - NextEra, NRG Energy, Nordex, Michigan Muni Lead Project News

Nordex takes order for Wisconsin project:
Nordex USA, Inc., took an order for eight of its N100 2.5-MW wind turbines to be installed at a 20-MW wind farm in Glenmore, Wis., outside of Green Bay. The turbine maker will deliver and install the units in the third quarter of next year. Developed by Emerging Energies of Wisconsin, the Shirley Wind Farm will displace an estimated 55,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, according to Nordex.

The CH Energy Group, owner of New York utility Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., holds a controlling interest in the project via its unregulated subsidiary Central Hudson Enterprises Corp (CHEC). CH Shirley Wind, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CHEC announced this week that it plans to invest approximately $50 million in the project. CH Shirley Wind will acquire a 90-percent controlling interest in the project.

The N100s, the latest generation in Nordex’s 2.5-MW class of turbines, are designed specifically for low to moderate wind speeds. For the Shirley Wind Farm, Nordex will supply cold-climate models of the N100s, upgraded to operate in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

The project carries a 20-year power purchase agreement contract with Wisconsin Public Service Corporation. Nordex USA is currently building a manufacturing plant in Jonesboro, Ark., which will produce N90/N100 turbines for the U.S. market beginning in September 2010.

NextEra completes acquisition of Babcock & Brown projects:
FPL Group subsidiary NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, has completed its previously announced acquisition of three operating wind farms with a combined capacity of 184.5 MW from Babcock & Brown. The projects are the 79.5-MW Majestic Wind Energy Center in Carson County, Texas; the 54-MW Butler Ridge Wind Energy Center in Dodge County, Wis.; and the 51-MW Wessington Springs Wind Energy Center in Jerauld County, S.D.

The acquisitions add to the already substantial wind assets of NextEra Energy Resources, the leading generator of wind power in North America. Various assets of Babcock & Brown, an Australian infrastructure investment company, are being sold off after the company was hit hard by the financial crisis that began at the end of last year.

NRG Energy’s Langford facility online:
NRG Energy recently began commercial operations at the 150-MW Langford Wind Power Project south of San Angelo, Texas. NRG subsidiary Padoma Wind Power developed the project, which features 100 GE 1.5-MW turbines. Approximately 200 jobs were created during the nine-month construction period, and the facility will now employ approximately 10 full-time professionals.

Michigan muni enters 20-year PPA for Heritage wind power:
The Traverse City (Mich.) Light & Power board of directors on December 8 approved a 20-year power purchase agreement for 10 MW of capacity from the Heritage Stoney Corners Wind Farm 1 near McBain, Mich. Heritage Sustainable Energy, LLC, the operator of the wind farm, anticipates that the facility will be online by the end of 2010.

Traverse City L&P, a community-owned municipal utility, said the purchase of additional wind power will help it meet state-mandated legislation enacted last year that requires Michigan’s electric utilities to provide 10% of electrical generation through renewables by 2015. The muni has also set its own goal of obtaining 30% renewable electrical generation by 2020.

For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net