Greengate Sells Alberta's Blacksprings Ridge Windfarm to EDF, Enbridge

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--One of the largest proposed windfarms in Western Canada was sold recently to EDF En Canada (Toronto, Ontario), a subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles (Paris, France), and Enbridge Incorporated (NYSE:ENB) (Calgary, Alberta). These two organizations formed a joint venture to develop the Blacksprings Windfarm, which is near Vulcan, Alberta.

The Blacksprings Windfarm is "shovel ready," meaning permits are in order, financing is in place, and there is a contract through an offtaker (Alberta Power Pool) for the electricity produced. Greengate Power Corporation (Calgary, Alberta) purchased the project in 2011 from Capital Power Corporation (Edmonton, Alberta). Along with the purchase of the development rights were green energy credits that span 20 years. The success of this project depends on the contracts obtained from the off-takers, as well as the renewable energy credits that are currently under contract with Pacific Gas & Electric (San Francisco, California).

Blacksprings Ridge will have a 300-megawatt (MW) capacity. It is expected to cost approximately $600 million and is located in one of the windiest sections of Western Canada. There will be 166 Vestas V100 Wind Turbine Generator Sets, each with a 1.8-MW capacity, installed at this location. Vestas will provide the turbines along with a 20-year contract for maintenance and services. Completion of this project is expected to be in 2014.

Site preparation is expected to start this quarter. M.A. Mortenson Construction (Minneapolis, Minnesota) will provide the engineering, construction and procurement (EPC) services for this facility and should be mobilizing to prepare for the construction of the Blacksprings Ridge Windfarm shortly. Upon completion, it is expected that this facility will provide renewable energy to 40,000 homes.

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