Southern Power acquires two wind projects in Texas

Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power today announced the acquisition of two wind facilities in Texas – the 174-megawatt (MW) Salt Fork Wind Facility and the 126-MW Tyler Bluff Wind Facility – from EDF Renewable Energy. With these acquisitions, Southern Power owns more than 1,000 MW of wind power, growing its wholesale renewable portfolio to more than 3,000 MW.

“Southern Power is committed to strategically growing our wind generation portfolio,” said Southern Power President and CEO Buzz Miller. “We are proud to add our second and third Texas wind facilities as we continue to help meet the energy needs of our customers.”

With the addition of these two facilities, Southern Power has announced more than 3,000 MW of renewable generation across 35 solar, wind and biomass facilities that are operational or under construction. In total, the Southern Company system has added or announced more than 4,000 MW of renewable generation since 2012.

Salt Fork Wind Facility, located in Donley and Gray Counties, Texas, consists of 87 wind turbines manufactured by Vestas. The electricity and associated renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the facility will be sold under separate, long-term contracts. The city of Garland, Texas, has signed a 14-year power purchase agreement for 150 MW and Salesforce has signed a 12-year agreement for 24 MW.

Tyler Bluff Wind Facility, located in Cooke County, Texas, consists of 52 wind turbines manufactured by Siemens. The majority of the facility’s output is covered by an agreement with Procter & Gamble, allowing the company to offset 100 percent of the electricity needs for all its North America-based Fabric & Home Care plants. Southern Power will have the option to keep or sell the remaining RECs.

EDF Renewable Energy managed the development and construction of the facilities, which achieved commercial operation this month. EDF Renewable Services, the operations and maintenance subsidiary of EDF Renewable Energy, will provide balance-of-plant services.

These projects fit Southern Power’s business strategy of growing its wholesale business through the acquisition and construction of generating assets substantially covered by long-term contracts.

Photo: courtesy of Southern Company