British Columbia’s Largest Wind Farm Starts Generating Energy

GE Energy Financial Services and Plutonic acquired and resumed construction of the wind energy project a year ago. Since then, the project’s engineering, procurement and construction contractor, Mortenson Canada Corporation, has completed mechanical erection of all 48 wind turbines. Nine wind turbines have to date completed final commissioning testing and are available for operation. The substation and transmission lines have also been commissioned and energized, allowing for wind turbine commissioning.

The wind energy project, located 1,100 kilometres northeast of Vancouver near Chetwynd, will sell energy generated during commissioning – prior to the commercial operation date, or "COD" – to Powerex, a subsidiary of BC Hydro.

"The start of energy generation at the Dokie Wind Project represents Plutonic’s and GE Energy Financial Services’ first wind power project in Canada and a solid new growth platform for Plutonic in wind energy," said Donald McInnes, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Plutonic Power.

GE Energy Financial Services and Plutonic, through their jointly formed Dokie General Partnership, announced the resumption of project construction in December 2009. The $228 million project will generate 320,000-340,000 MWh/a and, in addition to the turbines, includes a substation and seven kilometres of 230 kV transmission lines. The project is expected to reach commercial operation by early 2011.

In addition to the Dokie Wind Project, GE and Plutonic also jointly developed British Columbia’s largest independent run-of-river hydro project, the East Toba River and Montrose Creek hydroelectric project.

GE Energy Financial Services’ experts invest globally across the capital spectrum in essential, long-lived and capital-intensive energy assets that meet the world’s energy needs. In addition to capital, GE Energy Financial Services offers the best of GE’s technical know-how, technology innovation, financial strength and rigorous risk management. Based in Stamford, Connecticut, the GE business unit helps its customers and GE grow through new investments, strong partnerships and optimization of its $21 billion in assets.

Plutonic Power identifies, develops and operates clean power projects in a safe reliable and efficient manner. Plutonic Power strives to be a Canadian-based leader in clean power.

www.plutonic.ca

www.geenergyfinancialservices.com