NextEra Energy Resources and AEP commissioned the Bluff Point Wind Energy Center

The Bluff Point Wind Energy Center features 57 GE wind turbines designed to pivot to capture the prevailing wind and convert it to clean, renewable electricity. Together, they have a generating capacity of nearly 120 MW.

Affiliates of NextEra Energy Resources, the world’s largest generator of renewable energy, built and will own and operate the project. The energy serves customers of Appalachian Power, an affiliate of AEP.

Appalachian Power serves 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee. The company has been moving toward a more diversified energy portfolio that will include more wind-generated power, new solar, demand-side management and energy efficiency as well as existing hydropower, coal and natural gas plants.

The Bluff Point Wind Energy Center is providing a economic boost for Jay and Randolph counties, creating nearly 200 jobs during the construction phase this year, and five full-time jobs to support it once it became operational in October.

The project is expected to provide more than $30 million in new tax revenue to the county governments over its first 30 years of operations, and nearly $21 million in payments to local landowners. From labor and materials, to housing, health care and construction — a variety of local businesses have benefitted from the influx of economic activity.