Sempra Generation announce commercial operation of Fowler Ridge Wind Farm, Indiana

“The commercial operation of the second phase of the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm is a tremendous success story for the team who has worked tirelessly to deliver this wind energy project,” said John Graham, president, BP Wind Energy. “This is the first wind partnership for BP and Sempra and we look forward to exploring future opportunities for collaboration. On behalf of the project team I would like to thank our landowners and the local and county officials without whom this project would not be the success it is.”

“This project is an example of our strong commitment to developing renewable energy,” said Michael W. Allman, president and chief executive officer for Sempra Generation. “Along with our wind and solar projects in the Pacific Southwest, Fowler Ridge bolsters our presence in the wind energy sector and enhances our ability to supply clean, sustainable power to communities across our country. We are proud to join BP Wind Energy in this effort and look forward to working on other renewable energy projects in the future.”

Built by Mortenson Construction, phase two of the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm utilizes 133 GE SLE wind turbines generators, each wind turbine with a rated capacity of 1.5 MW. A total of 400 workers were employed during peak construction of the second phase of the wind farm and a full-time staff of nine is employed to monitor and maintain phase two. BP Wind Energy operates the project through its wholly-owned affiliate. Phase two of the wind farm will generate enough carbon-free electricity to power approximately 60,000 average American homes annually.

The power from phase two of the project has been sold under four long-term contracts, each contract for 50 MW. Three contracts have been signed with operating units of American Electric Power and one contract with Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana.

BP Wind Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of BP, one of the world’s leading energy companies. In addition to the Fowler Ridge II Wind Farm, BP Wind Energy has interests in a further seven operating wind farms – Cedar Creek I, CO, Edom Hills, CA, Flat Ridge I, KS, Fowler Ridge I, IN, Silver Star I and Sherbino I, TX, Titan I, SD. The total gross installed capacity for the eight wind farms is over 1,250 MW producing enough clean electricity with the potential to supply power to approximately 375,000 average American homes annually.

BP America is the largest producer of oil and natural gas in the United States and one of the nation’s largest energy investors. 

http://www.bpalternativenergy.com 

http://www.bp.com/us.

Sempra Generation/Sempra Energy: Sempra Generation operates and maintains a fleet of natural gas fueled and solar power plants serving the U.S. market and is in the process of developing renewable power projects in the Pacific Southwest. Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2008 revenues of nearly $11 billion. The Sempra Energy companies’ 13,600 employees serve more than 29 million consumers worldwide.

www.sempra.com/