Client News
Indianapolis Power & Light Company, enXco Break Ground on 106 MW Wind Project
53 Turbines will bring renewable energy to all IPL customers by late 2009
Indianapolis — IPL and enXco are celebrating the construction of the Hoosier Wind Project with a groundbreaking ceremony today on the 106-megawatt (MW) wind farm that will bring carbon-free electricity into the Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) generation portfolio. The renewable energy source is expected to be in operation in late 2009 as part of IPL’s effort to power the nearly 470,000 customers served by the utility. The groundbreaking caps off Indiana Wind Energy Week as declared by Gov. Mitch Daniels.
IPL and enXco — an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company (PARIS: EEN) — have partnered for IPL’s new green energy initiative, the Hoosier Wind Project near Fowler, Ind., in Benton County, approximately 90 miles northwest of Indianapolis. The new wind project, developed and owned by enXco, stretches over nearly 6,500 acres of farmland and consists of 53 REpower 2 MW turbines which are one third larger than most wind turbines in current operation in Benton County. IPL will purchase the power generated under a 20-year power purchase agreement providing approximately 29,000 homes with clean, emission-free electricity.
“The Hoosier Wind Project is a major step for IPL as we provide our customers with a direct source of alternative energy,” said Ann Murtlow, IPL President & CEO. “Our customers are increasingly interested in green energy options, and wind is a renewable energy source that IPL and enXco can effectively harness.”
“enXco is excited to partner with IPL to bring the economic and environmental benefits of this wind project to its customers,” said Tristan Grimbert, President and CEO of enXco. “We have extensive experience developing nearly 2,000 MW of wind projects in 10 states and are proud to build our first project in Indiana. With solid wind resources, Indiana has great potential for future developments. We look forward to being a continued partner with the communities and IPL to increase wind generating capacity in the state.”
The groundbreaking ceremony takes place today at 10:30 a.m. with the program starting at 11 a.m. Shuttle service is being provided from the Benton Country Club to the site.
Special guests include Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman; State Sen. Sue Landske; State Rep. Don Lehe; IPL President & CEO Ann Murtlow; enXco President & CEO Tristan Grimbert; as well as local officials and representatives from enXco, IPL, REpower, Mortenson and American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
About Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL):
Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL — www.IPLpower.com), an AES Company (www.aes.com), provides retail electric service to about 470,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Indianapolis, as well as portions of other Central Indiana communities surrounding Marion County. For more than 80 years, IPL has supplied its customers with some of the lowest-cost, most reliable power in the country.
About enXco, an EDF EN Company:
enXco (www.enxco.com), an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company (www.edf-energies.nouvelles.com), develops, constructs, operates and manages renewable energy projects throughout the United States. For more than two decades, they have been a leader in wind-energy focusing on large-scale wind projects. enXco’s portfolio includes solar and biomass technologies, in an effort to help drive the transition to a sustainable energy economy. enXco has grown to be a significant owner and developer of wind-energy installations in the United States, and is the largest third-party operations and maintenance provider for wind farms in North America.
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