Earlier today, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, celebrated the commissioning of its 10,000th megawatt (MW) of wind energy. NextEra Energy Resources achieved this significant milestone when it commissioned its 10,000th MW at its 400-MW Limon Wind Project in Colorado. Altogether, NextEra Energy Resources’ North American wind energy fleet is capable of generating enough electricity to power a city the size of Chicago.
“In addition to the environmental benefits of emission-free wind energy, our wind energy centers have helped revitalize rural communities across the United States and Canada through the creation of jobs, lease payments to landowners, property tax payments, and the ongoing purchase of goods and services,” said NextEra Energy Resources President and CEO Armando Pimentel. “While achieving 10,000 megawatts is a significant numerical milestone, it also reflects the hard work and dedication of our employees and customers who share our belief in the importance of clean energy.”
By the end of 2012, NextEra Energy Resources, through its subsidiaries, expects to have more than 10,000 MW of wind in operation, with wind projects in 19 states and four Canadian provinces, representing a total capital investment of more than $16 billion.
“This milestone shows the power and potential of wind energy for economic and national security. Wind-energy production supports 75,000 jobs nationwide and drives $15 billion in private investment in a clean, renewable, and domestic energy source,” said U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, author of the wind-energy production tax credit. “Continued support for wind-energy production is good for the environment, American workers, and energy development here at home.”
The Journey to 10,000 MWSince its first investment in wind power in 1989, NextEra Energy Resources and its predecessor companies have focused on making investments in wind power that made sense environmentally and economically. In 2012, NextEra Energy Resources expects to add approximately 1,500 MW of new U.S. wind projects to its portfolio, marking the largest wind program ever completed in this country in a single year.
“Colorado is proud that the Limon project is the site of NextEra Energy Resources’ 10,000th MW milestone,” said Gov. John Hickenlooper. “Wind continues to be a cost-competitive, clean, domestic energy source. Developing Colorado’s wind resources has helped to diversify and strengthen our state’s rural and manufacturing economies.”
“Wind energy is an important part of our commitment to provide value to our customers. It’s clean, renewable and competitively priced,” said Xcel Energy Chairman, President and CEO Ben Fowke. “As Xcel Energy has grown its wind portfolio, we have developed a trusted partnership with NextEra Energy Resources as they help us meet our customers’ energy needs.”
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (together with its affiliated entities, “NextEra Energy Resources”), is a clean energy leader and is one of the largest competitive energy suppliers in North America, operating in 22 states and Canada as of year-end 2011. NextEra Energy Resources is the largest generator in the United States of renewable energy from the wind and sun, owning and operating approximately 8,569 megawatts of wind and 158 megawatts of solar power at the end of 2011. The business operates clean, emissions-free nuclear power generation facilities in New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin as part of the NextEra Energy nuclear fleet, which has one of the largest number of commercial nuclear power units in the United States. NextEra Energy Resources, LLC is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
