Duke Energy has more than 500 MW of wind-powered generation in operation, a figure it expects to rise to more than 700 MW by end of 2009. The company has an additional 5,000 MW in potential wind energy development projects.
Duke Energy, Charlotte, N.C. says it is acquiring a 70-MW, wind-power project in Pennsylvania, the company’s first in the eastern U.S. The power company will purchase the North Allegheny Windpower Project from wind-turbine manufacturer and project developer Gamesa Energy USA. North Allegheny has 35 Gamesa wind turbines, each capable of producing two megawatts.
The wind-power project in Blair and Cambria counties, about 95 miles east of Pittsburgh, is nearing completion and final commissioning is under way. The acquisition includes a 23.5-year power purchase agreement to sell all output from the wind farm and associated renewable energy credits to FirstEnergy. The site will begin generating electricity for FirstEnergy later this year.
“The acquisition expands our wind-power portfolio beyond the western U.S., where we have half a dozen projects already in operation or under construction,” says Wouter van Kempen, president of Duke Energy Generation Services. No terms were disclosed for the acquisition which is expected to close in Q3 2009.
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