March 10, 2012
Pennsylvania

Gamesa sells local wind farm as part of $900M deal

By Bill Wadell, www.wjactv.com 9 March 2012

RUSH TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Officials with Gamesa confirmed on Friday afternoon that it is selling a 25-turbine wind farm that spans a ridgeline in Centre and Blair counties to an energy firm in Canada.

In a written statement, Gamesa officials said the Sandy Ridge wind farm, as well as three others in Texas, Iowa and Illinois, are being sold to Algoquin Power and Utilities Corp. in Canada for $900 million.

When reached by telephone, officials told 6News that local jobs, turbine maintenance and contract agreements with Gamesa will stand for the next 20 years and that the new partnership will likely bring more green energy projects to North America.

Rep. Scott Conklin told 6News that he’s pleased to see Gamesa is maintaining local its local commitments for the next 20 years and said projects like the Sandy Ridge wind farm are essential for Pennsylvania’s workforce and energy future.

“Turbines and solar are still in their infancy, but we have to put the investments in today. Who knows when the next oil embargo is going to come into effect with $4 gasoline? We have to come up with ways to help rural Pennsylvania with their energy needs,” said Conklin.

Bald Eagle resident Eileen Glace said she’s disappointed to see the local investment being sold to a company in Canada.

“It’s stupid. I thought that was for us, but we’re used to it. We’re Americans. We’re used to giving everything away to other countries,” said Glace. “When they first put them up, somebody said that (the power produced) was going to New York. I said ‘Why would they sell it to New York?’ I don’t care. As long as somebody got it in our country, it didn’t matter to me. My light bills are, like, $240 a month. I would like it if my light bill was $70 again.”

The deal will likely take at least 45 days to be approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/10/gamesa-sells-local-wind-farm-as-part-of-900m-deal/