June 11, 2013
Indiana

New agreement will create Randolph County Wind Farm

Written by Seth Slabaugh | The Star Press | June 11, 2013 | www.thestarpress.com

WINCHESTER – An agreement announced Monday between Indiana Michigan Power and EDP Renewables North America (EDPR) will result in the construction of a wind farm in Randolph County.

I&M will add 200 megawatts (MW) of wind power to its generation portfolio under the 20-year power purchase agreement.

Headwaters Wind Farm’s turbines will be connected to the American Electric Power transmission system to deliver power to I&M customers in both Michigan and Indiana. Construction is scheduled to begin before year’s end and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2014.

“Our agreement with EDPR is an important step in our continuing efforts to diversify our generation portfolio, which includes wind, hydro, nuclear and coal,” said Paul Chodak III, president of I&M.

The wind power contract resulted from a request for proposals that I&M issued in February to fulfill its commitment under a consent order negotiated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, several northeastern states, and various environmental groups to add 200 MW of new wind energy. The company solicited only wind projects in late stage.

“In addition to providing renewable energy for all I&M customers, it will bring jobs and provide long-term economic benefits to communities in our service territory,” Chodak said.

EDPR expects to create the equivalent of more than 150 full-time jobs throughout the construction phase and more than 20 permanent jobs once the project is completed in 2014.

EDPR owns and operates 29 wind farms throughout the United States, including the Meadow Lake Wind Farm in White County, Indiana.

“We are excited to partner with Indiana Michigan Power to deliver clean and cost-effective homegrown Indiana electricity to power more than 55,000 homes annually,” said Gabriel Alonso, the CEO of EDPR.

The addition of Headwaters Wind Farm will bring I&M’s total wind power portfolio to 450 megawatts. I&M has power purchase agreements for a total of 150 MW from the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm in Benton County in Indiana and 100 MW from the Wildcat-1 Wind Farm in Madison, Grant, Howard and Tipton counties in Indiana.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/06/11/new-agreement-will-create-randolph-county-wind-farm/