Energy company EDF Renewable Energy has this week reportedly signed two separate Power Purchase Agreements for solar and wind energy projects that together total 600 megawatts.
On Wednesday, US independent power producer EDF Renewable Energy announced that it had signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) agreement to supply the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) with 100 megawatts (MW) of wind energy from the Stoneray Wind Project, beginning in 2020. The 100 MW wind project is located in Pipestone and Murray counties in southwest Minnesota and is expected to begin construction in early 2018, and when completed by the end of the year the wind farm should be able to provide enough electricity to meet the needs of 47,000 average homes.
“EDF RE is pleased to expand on its strong historical working relationship with SMMPA to help meet their energy supply goals and objectives,” said Kate O’Hair, Vice President for Development-North Region. “Minnesota has long been a key state for EDF RE due to its favorable regulatory environment, excellent wind resource, and advantageous transmission expansion. Stoneray marks our twelfth wind project developed in the state totaling over 1.2 GW and further demonstrates EDF RE’s commitment to investment, involvement and employment in Minnesota.”
“Stoneray Wind is a big addition to SMMPA’s diverse renewable energy portfolio,” said Dave Geschwind, SMMPA’s Executive Director and CEO. “Building on the success of the 100.5 MW Wapsipinicon Wind project with EDF RE, we’re glad to be working further with EDF RE to provide more Minnesota wind energy to our Members and economic benefits to southern Minnesota through this important project.”
The news comes on the heels of two other announcements from EDF Renewable Energy. Last week, the company revealed that it would sign a Purchase and Sale Agreement in which Alliant Energy Corporation would acquire 50% ownership interest in the 225 MW Great Western Wind Project in Oklahoma. The project was completed in December of last year, and under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement, it provides clean energy to Google.
“The sale of equity stakes represents an integral part of EDF Renewable Energy’s business model, allowing us to maintain a balanced ownership portfolio in order to assist in the funding of new project development,” explained Raphael DeClercq, Vice President of Portfolio Strategy for EDF RE. “We are pleased to forge a new business relationship with Alliant Energy on this first transaction. We are confident that our expertise as a developer and operator complements Alliant Energy’s renewable energy strategy.”
Finally, in the first half of this month, it was reported by The Desert Sun that EDF Renewable Energy had signed a PPA with Southern California Edison for 125 MW of the electricity generated at the 500 MW Maverick Solar project (formerly the Palen solar project), built near Desert Center. The Palen solar project has been through the ringer, repeatedly announced and cancelled. The new PPA now waits on confirmation from the California Public Commission and then further approvals from Riverside County and the federal Bureau of Land Management.
Source: cleantechnica.com
