NTR’s Wind Capital Group Signs PPA to Provide 201MW of Electricity to Westar Energy
December 15 2010
Dublin, 15th December 2010: www.ntrplc.com, the international renewable energy group, today announces that its wind business, Wind Capital Group, has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Kansas-based electric utility Westar Energy. Westar has agreed to purchase 201 MW of electricity from Wind Capital Group’s Post Rock Wind Energy facility, located in Ellsworth and Lincoln Counties in Kansas.
“This is a significant milestone for Wind Capital Group. The US wind sector has experienced a slow-down in the pace of PPAs being awarded of late due to prevailing economic uncertainties. However, through the development of strong relationships and a quality offering, Wind Capital Group has bucked the trend in securing this landmark contract – its first footprint outside the State of Missouri,” said Jim Barry, Chief Executive, NTR plc.
When completed, Post Rock will be the seventh utility-scale wind energy facility Wind Capital Group has developed and the second project under the company’s new business model, in which it owns and operates the wind energy facilities it develops. The first such facility, the 150 MW Lost Creek Wind Energy Facility in DeKalb County, Missouri, came online in the second quarter of 2010 and is providing enough electricity to power over 50,000 homes.
Construction at the Post Rock Wind Energy facility is scheduled to begin in 2011 with the project coming online in the second half of 2012. The project will provide enough electricity to power over 70,000 homes.
Tom Carnahan, Wind Capital Group’s President and CEO said: “This partnership shows more than ever that quality relationships, coupled with a great product, hard work, and a low price remains a winning formula in America. For Westar, which is already a national leader in renewable energy, this means over 200 new megawatts of wind energy will be added to their portfolio, and for Wind Capital Group, it sets the stage for our continued growth into new markets across the country.”
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About NTR plc
NTR plc, the international renewable energy group, builds and runs green energy and resource-sustaining businesses. Founded in 1978, NTR has evolved from being a developer and operator of infrastructure in Ireland to an international developer and operator of renewable energy (wind, solar and ethanol) and sustainable waste management businesses in the USA and Ireland. The Group employs over 2,000 people. www.ntrplc.com
About Wind Capital Group
Formed in 2005, Wind Capital Group is an American company committed to harnessing a clean, renewable source of energy - creating jobs, generating economic opportunity and building a strong foundation for domestic energy independence. Wind Capital Group’s model is built on forming responsible partnerships with the communities in which we operate and providing long-term value for our investors.
Currently, Wind Capital Group is developing utility-scale wind farm projects across the central U.S. and has offices in St. Louis, Missouri; Madison, Wisconsin; and Chicago, Illinois. For more information about Wind Capital Group, visit www.windcapitalgroup.com
About Westar Energy
Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR) is the largest electric utility in Kansas, providing electric service to about 686,000 customers in the state. Westar Energy has about 7,100 megawatts of electric generation capacity and operates and coordinates more than 35,000 miles of electric distribution and transmission lines.
NTR plc Media Enquiries:
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For USA - Brunswick Group, Oliver Philips / Dominic McMullan: Tel + 1 212 333 3810