The 250 megawatt (MW) wind turbines project will generate enough clean electricity to meet the needs of about 80,000 homes and avoid almost 783,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Power generated by the project will be purchased under a long term contract with the Public Service Company of Colorado, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy.
"Wind energy is a key component of Enbridge’s strategy to invest in renewable energy sources that complement our core operations, generate solid returns and stable cash flow, and benefit the environment," said Al Monaco, President, Gas Pipelines, Green Energy & International. "We are also pleased that this project has created near-term employment in Colorado, and has advanced the state’s renewable energy policy objectives. The Cedar Point Wind Farm is our first U.S. wind investment, an excellent addition to our rapidly growing renewable energy portfolio.
"We’re delighted to once again partner with RES Americas, which developed and constructed Cedar Point," Monaco continued, "and to be here, ahead of schedule, to officially open the facility and mark the delivery of a new source of emissions-free electricity to the Colorado power grid."
To date, Enbridge’s renewable and alternative energy portfolio includes interests in seven wind farm projects, three solar farms-including the 80 MW Sarnia Solar Project-one of the largest of its kind in the world, a geothermal plant, four waste heat recovery facilities and fuel cell technology. Together, these installations have the capacity to generate almost 860 MW of clean electricity, meet the needs of almost 270,000 homes, and an estimated 1.4 million tons of avoided carbon dioxide emissions over the life of the project.
"RES Americas congratulates Xcel Energy on adding 250 megawatts of power to Colorado’s clean energy future," said Susan Reilly, CEO of RES Americas. "This is an excellent example of the success of the Treasury Grant Program – wind power projects like Cedar Point not only generate clean, renewable energy, they also create jobs, drive investment, and diversify our nation’s energy portfolio. We’ve enjoyed working with Enbridge, Vestas, and the many other vendors and sub-contractors to make Cedar Point a success, and we look forward to working with other Colorado communities on future renewable energy projects."
TJ Deora, director of the Governor’s Energy Office, said, "Thanks to the industry’s tremendous advances in technology and Colorado’s rich wind resources, electric customers benefit from this low cost resource. In addition, wind energy development is creating jobs, bolstering rural economic development and helping to mitigate the risk of potentially volatile conventional fuel costs. We are particularly pleased that Broomfield-based RES Americas developed and built the facility. The State of Colorado welcomes the project owner, Enbridge, to the growing number of renewable energy companies that are now such a vital part of our state’s economy."
To celebrate its membership in the Limon community, Enbridge today announced a donation to the Limon School District. During the last year, Enbridge also has given donations to local first responders, the Limon Rodeo, Relay for Life and the Limon Child Development Center.
Enbridge looks forward to a long and mutually prosperous relationship with the residents of Limon and surrounding communities.
Enbridge Inc., a Canadian company, is a North American leader in delivering energy and one of the 2011 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. As a transporter of energy, Enbridge operates, in Canada and the U.S., the world’s longest crude oil and liquids transportation system. The Company also has a growing involvement in the natural gas transmission and midstream businesses, and is expanding its interests in renewable and green energy technologies including wind power and solar energy, hybrid fuel cells and carbon dioxide sequestration.
As a distributor of energy, Enbridge owns and operates Canada’s largest natural gas distribution company, and provides distribution services in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. Enbridge employs approximately 6,500 people, primarily in Canada and the U.S. and is ranked as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers, and one of the Top 100 Companies to Work for in Canada. Enbridge’s common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB.
Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Americas) is a fully-integrated renewable energy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates projects across the United States (US) and Canada. RES Americas has more than 5,200 MW under construction or constructed, which represents more than 10% of the operating installed wind farm capacity in the US, and has more than 9,000 MW in development. RES Americas’ corporate office is located in Broomfield, CO with regional offices located in Austin, TX, Portland, OR, and Minneapolis, MN. RES Americas is part of the RES Group, a leading international renewable energy developer.
