West Texas wind farm will boost Austin Energy's renewable portfolio
BROOMFIELD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today Renewable Energy Systems Americas (RES Americas), a national leader in the development and construction of wind power projects, announced completion and commencement of commercial operations of its Hackberry Wind Project, a $350 million wind farm in Shackelford County, Texas. RES Americas is the developer, construction contractor, operator of the project, and owner, along with GE Energy Financial Services a unit of GE (NYSE: GE). Austin Energy will purchase the power produced by Hackberry, moving the City of Austin closer to its goal of securing 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
The site, 30 miles northeast of Abilene Texas, consists of 72 Siemens wind turbines that produce 166 MW of clean wind energy, enough electricity to power 39,000 average Texas homes. The energy will be used by residents of the City of Austin and surrounding communities. Construction began in January 2008 and was completed less than a year later, on-time and under budget, in December 2008.
"This project increases the U.S. production of renewable energy, and GE is pleased to be a participant, along with RES Americas," said Kevin Walsh, Managing Director and leader of renewable energy at GE Energy Financial Services. "Continued support from local and federal governments is necessary to sustain the wind industry and facilitate more of these projects."
"RES Americas is excited to contribute to the sustainable energy future of Texas. Hackberry will provide years of clean power to Austin and surrounding communities," said Craig Mataczynski, President of RES Americas. "Wind and other renewable energy sources are a vital component to a secure energy future, and RES Americas intends to play a large role. Through hard work and committed partners like GE Energy Financial Services, Austin Energy and the community of Shackelford County, Hackberry will be providing renewable energy for Texas as long as the wind blows."
RES Americas has been active in the US market since 1997 and has played a major role in developing more than 12% of the operating wind projects in the United States and more than 20% of the installed wind capacity in the State of Texas.
About RES Americas:
Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Americas) is a fully-integrated wind energy company that develops, constructs, owns and operates wind projects across the United States and Canada. At the end of 2008, RES Americas constructed more than 3,400 MW of projects in North America and has over 15,000 MW in development. It has developed or constructed more than 12% of the operating wind projects nationwide, and developed or constructed 20% of the operating wind projects completed in the US in 2007.
RES Americas' corporate office is located in Denver, CO with regional offices located in Austin, Texas, Portland, OR, Minneapolis, MN, and Montreal, Quebec, Canada. RES Americas continues to seek new locations for wind projects as well as opportunities to participate in other forms of renewable energy. For more information, please visit www.res-americas.com.
Raheleh Folkerts