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15 January 2007 - BP Alternative Energy North America has announced that it expects to begin construction on five wind power generation projects in the US in 2007.
Located in four states: California, Colorado, North Dakota and Texas, the projects are expected to deliver a combined generation capacity of some 550 MW. When complete, the projects will exceed the company's previously announced target to build 450 MW by end of 2008.
BP's US wind portfolio includes the opportunity to develop almost 100 projects with a potential total generating capacity of some 15 000 MW. These projects are the result of several agreements and acquisitions the company made in the previous year.
In July 2006, BP announced a strategic alliance with Clipper Windpower to supply up to 4 250 MW of wind turbines over the next five years. Later in 2006, BP acquired two US wind development companies -- Greenlight Energy and Orion Energy LLC.
"Today's announcement marks an important step in delivering BP's commitment to producing low and zero-carbon electricity," said Robert Lukefahr, president of BP Alternative Energy North America "Our 2007 build program surpasses our target and does so a year ahead of schedule. It is a testament to the calibre of people working in our business and the opportunities in the US wind sector."
Construction is already under way on the Cedar Creek project in Weld County, Colorado, a development venture between BP Alternative Energy North America, and Babcock & Brown Operating Partners LP. The 300 MW wind power generation project will be comprised of 274 wind turbines. Initial operation is expected in the second half of 2007 and when fully commercial, the project will generate enough carbon-free electricity to power 120 000 homes.
"This is an exciting project for Babcock & Brown," said Hunter Armistead, head of Babcock & Brown's U.S. wind energy group. "The Cedar Creek project will be a significant source of renewable power in Colorado, and it represents a significant investment in the state's infrastructure."
The remaining four projects are:
California -- the Yaponcha wind power generation project is the re-powering of an existing wind energy facility in San Gorgonio Pass, which expects to have a capacity of 20 MW;
North Dakota: a 65 MW wind power generation project; Central Texas: a 60 MW joint project with Clipper Windpower; West Texas: a project in excess of 100 MW.
As part of this build program, BP Alternative Energy North America plans to deploy 150 MW of Clipper Liberty turbines as part of the supply and joint development agreement it entered into in 2006 with Clipper Windpower.
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