USA: April 25, 2003
NEW YORK - FPL Energy said this week it plans to build three wind energy projects across the U.S. to add 135 megawatts of power, or enough to supply roughly 135,000 average homes, by the end of 2003.
The company, a subsidiary of FPL Group Inc (FPL.N), said it plans to build 63 megawatts of wind-powered generation in Clinton and Canaan Township in northeast Pennsylvania, with the power being sold to Exelon Corp (EXC.N) subsidiary Exelon Generation Co. The company expects to buy the project rights from Orion Energy LLC in the second quarter of 2003, with commercial operation expected by year-end, FPL said in a statement.
Also, FPL said it plans to build a 51 MW facility near Woodward in northwest Oklahoma, with production going to the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority.
A 21 MW wind-powered facility is planned near Kulm, North Dakota with output sent to Otter Tail Corp (OTTR.O) subsidiary Otter Tail Power Co.
FPL spokesman Steve Stengel declined to disclose the estimated cost of the three projects.
One megawatt of electricity is roughly enough to supply 1,000 homes.
FPL also said it has an agreement to buy 24 MW of wind assets in southwestern Pennsylvania from Zilka Renewable Energy Corp and Atlantic Renewable Energy Corp during the second quarter of 2003.
Output from the Pennsylvania projects is and will continue to be sold to Exelon Generation.
FPL said it owns and operates 1,700 MW of wind-generated electrical capacity in the U.S. and that it is the largest generator of electricity from wind turbines in the nation.
The company said it has previously announced plans to build an additional 434 MW of wind generation in New Mexico, California, North Dakota and South Dakota.
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