Enbridge to develop 110MW wind project in US

Canada-based Enbridge has signed an agreement with Renewable Energy Systems Americas (RES Americas) to construct 110MW Keechi Wind project at Jack County in Texas, US, with an investment of about $0.2bn.

The Keechi Wind project, which is expected to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2015, has started its construction in December 2013.

The project, which will be constructed under a fixed-price, engineering, procurement and construction agreement, includes 55 Vestas V100-2MW turbines.

Enbridge said that a 12-mile generation tie-line will connect the project to Brazos Electric’s Joplin substation.

After commercial operation date, Vestas will provide turbine operations and maintenance services for the first five years of the project.

Under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Microsoft, the project will supply electricity to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

Enbridge Green Power & Transmission vice president Don Thompson said the company will continue building relationship with RES Americas, which has developed three other wind facilities for the firm.

"As the nation’s leader in wind energy – both in installed capacity and number of turbines – Texas represents a natural extension for Enbridge’s growing U.S. renewable energy portfolio," Thompson added.

RES Americas executive vice president Brian Evans said, "RES Americas looks forward to continuing our partnership with Enbridge Inc. Texas has shown its commitment to remain a leader in the renewable energy industry, and Keechi Wind, the 19th project we’ve constructed in the state, will help reduce carbon emissions, create jobs, and deliver economic benefits to the local community."