Mar 29 2010
In a move to expand its wind energy operations, power-plant operator NRG Energy signed a letter of intent for the acquisition of the South Trent wind farm. Located near Sweetwater, this 101 MW wind farm will be the fourth onshore plant in the NRG Energy portfolio and is expected to enhance the company’s power generation capacity to 450 MW.
Online since January 2009, South Trent Wind Farm is equipped with 44 2.3 MW wind turbines from Siemens, capable of generating enough wind energy required to power over 80,000 homes, when utilized to maximum capacity.
Pending approval of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the fulfillment of certain other precedent conditions, the acquisition is slated to close in the second quarter of 2010.
NRG’s current onshore wind portfolio includes:
- the 120 MW Elbow Creek wind farm near Big Spring, Texas
- the 150 MW Langford wind farm near San Angelo, Texas, and
- 50% ownership of the 150-MW BP Alternative Energy-operated Sherbino wind farm near Fort Stockton, Texas.
Included in NRG’s low- and no-carbon operating assets are:
- new solar thermal and photovoltaic solar projects
- nuclear projects
- onshore and offshore wind and biomass projects , and
- a commercial-scale carbon capture project for the generation of fossil-fuel.
In addition, NRG also has a power purchase agreement with AEP Energy Partners, under which it will sell all the power generated from the site, to the company for 20 years. NRG intends to continue investing in the acquisition of other onshore as well as offshore projects in wind, solar and technology-based clean energy assets.
Source: www.nrgenergy.com