Jan 27 2010
Duke Energy is expanding its commercial renewable energy portfolio with the purchase of a large-scale photovoltaic project that is under development in San Antonio, Texas. juwi solar Inc., a Colorado based company, is developing the Blue Wing Solar Project. Duke Energy Commercial Businesses unit, Duke Energy Generation Services (DEGS) will be purchasing the Blue Wing Solar Project.
The 14-MW (16-MW DC) ground-mounted project comprises 214,500 thin film panels from First Solar. Keith Trent, group executive and president of Duke Energy's Commercial Businesses, said that the demand for power from renewable energy sources is increasing and the company’s expansion into solar power demonstrates its commitment to generate power from renewable resources for its customers.
The acquisition of the solar project includes a 30-year power purchase agreement to sell the entire output from the facility to CPS Energy, based in San Antonio. Renewable energy credits related to the project will also be owned by CPS Energy.
Wouter van Kempen, president of DEGS, said that the company was pleased with the acquisition of Blue Wing Solar Project and with the achievement of developing wind energy business from zero megawatts to more than 730 megawatts within three years, the company was confident of developing its solar power business successfully.
The project is located on a 139-acre site and the acquisition is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2010. Construction of the project will begin after that and it is expected to be commissioned by the fourth quarter of 2010.
Since 2007, Duke Energy has committed more that $1 billion to develop its wind energy business and it owns and operates 733 MW of commercial wind energy generation. The company intends to wholly own and operate its first commercial solar project. Duke Energy has signed an agreement with China-based ENN Group to explore and jointly develop solar power projects in the United States.
Source: www.duke-energy.com