"These precedent agreements are a clear indication of wind developer support for significant export transmission capacity for renewable energy out of Wyoming into the southwest markets," said Hal Kvisle, TransCanada’s president and chief executive officer. "However, support from key markets and a positive regulatory environment are necessary before we start the significant siting and permitting activities required to construct the project."
The proposed Zephyr project is a 1,000 mile (1,600 kilometre), 500 kilovolt, high voltage direct current line designed to move 3,000 MW of wind power generated electricity from Wyoming to power markets in the southwest U.S. at a cost of approximately US$3 billion. Should Zephyr proceed to construction, major capital spending would start in late 2013 with a targeted timeframe for commercial operations of late 2015/early 2016.
Zephyr would significantly contribute to economic development in the western states, enhance resource diversity, increase energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and would promote U.S. national and state policy goals to facilitate construction of new renewable energy generation.
As part of the siting and permitting process, formal consultation with landowners, public officials, agencies and other interested parties will ramp up as satisfactory regulatory, political and market conditions are clarified.
With more than 50 years’ experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas and oil pipelines, power generation and gas storage facilities.
TransCanada’s network of wholly owned natural gas pipelines extends more than 60,000 kilometres (37,000 miles), tapping into virtually all major gas supply basins in North America. TransCanada is one of the continent’s largest providers of gas storage and related services with approximately 380 billion cubic feet of storage capacity.
A growing independent power producer, TransCanada owns, or has interests in, over 11,700 megawatts of power generation in Canada and the United States. TransCanada is developing one of North America’s largest oil delivery systems. TransCanada’s common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol TRP.
Pathfinder Renewable Wind Energy, LLC (Pathfinder), head quartered near Alcova, Wyoming, owns and operates Wyoming’s historic Pathfinder Ranch. Pathfinder is advancing the development of new wind generation assets and expanded power transmission for markets in the southwest. Pathfinder and its partnering ranchers are leaders in enhancing wildlife habitat while preserving America’s ranching heritage and meeting the nation’s desire for green energy. Its wind energy vision is based on an appreciation for Wyoming’s rural economies, communities, wildlife, scenic viewsheds and cultural resources. Sammons Power Development, Inc., a subsidiary of Dallas-based Sammons Enterprises, Inc. with assets approaching $40 billion, is the lead partner in Pathfinder.
Horizon Wind Energy LLC (Horizon) develops, constructs, owns and operates wind farms throughout North America. Based in Houston, Texas with over 20 offices and over 20 wind farms across the United States, Horizon has developed more than 3,400 MW and operates over 2,800 MW of wind farms. Horizon is owned by EDP Renovaveis S.A. (EDPR), a global leader in the renewable energy sector that designs, develops, manages and operates power plants that generate electricity using renewable energy sources. With a sound development pipeline, first class assets and market-leading operating capacity, EDPR has undergone exceptional development in recent years. EDPR is listed on the Euronext Lisbon Stock Exchange.
Energias de Portugal, S.A. (EDP), the parent company of EDPR, is a vertically-integrated utility company, headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal. Through its various constituent businesses, EDP holds significant electricity and gas operations in Europe, Brazil, and the United States.
BP Wind Energy NA is a wholly owned subsidiary of BP, one of the world’s leading energy companies. BP Wind Energy NA is a principal owner and operator of wind power facilities with interests in eight operating wind farms. BP Wind Energy NA has a gross generating capacity of more than 1,200 MW, enough to provide electricity for a city the size of Washington DC. BP America is the largest producer of oil and natural gas in the United States and one of the nation’s largest energy investors.
www.edprenovaveis.com
