Wind Energy

BP Wind Energy Announces Power Purchase Agreement for Colorado Wind Farm

BP Wind Energy announced that it has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement with Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo), an Xcel Energy company. PSCO’s agreement to purchase 250 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable electricity from wind power Cedar Creek II, LLC is part of the 2009 All Source Solicitation for energy generators.

The Cedar Creek II wind farm will be located some 20 miles north of New Raymer, in Weld County and east of the existing 300.5 MW Cedar Creek I wind farm. It is anticipated that some 250 workers will be employed during construction of the wind farm and an estimated 12-14 jobs will be created to monitor and maintain the facility once it is in full commercial operation.

“Today’s announcement is an important milestone for the landowners, county officials and many others in Weld County who have continued to support this project throughout its development,” said John Graham, president, BP Wind Energy. “A power purchase agreement with PSCo enables BP to help the State of Colorado achieve its aggressive renewable energy portfolio target of 30% by 2020.”

The Cedar Creek II Wind power purchase agreement is the second to be completed from Xcel Energy’s the 2007 Colorado Resource Plan.

“The project will be one of the largest in Colorado and increases the utilization of a highly desirable wind power resource,” said Tom Imbler, Xcel Energy vice president for commercial operations.

“In addition, the location of this new wind turbines project will allow us to take advantage of existing transmission lines to deliver clean wind energy to our customers, reducing overall costs.”

Subject to receiving all the necessary permits to proceed, it is anticipated that the Cedar Creek II wind farm will move into construction this summer. The project will utilize a combination of GE and Nordex wind turbines. The electrical output generated from the wind facility will reach the grid through approximately 20 miles of new overhead transmission lines which will tie into the existing Cedar Creek I wind farm’s interconnection with PSCO.

BP Wind Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of BP, one of the world’s leading energy companies. BP Wind Energy is a principal owner and operator of wind power facilities with interests in eight operating wind farms. BP Wind Energy has a gross generating capacity of more than 1,200 megawatts (MW), enough to provide electricity for a city the size of Washington DC.

Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis.

www.bp.com