ATLANTA, Jan. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the
company's renewable growth strategy, Southern Company subsidiary
Southern Power today announced the acquisition of the 276-megawatt
(MW) Bethel Wind Energy Center in Texas from Invenergy Services LLC.
"Bethel Wind is an important
piece of our renewable portfolio as we expand our wind generating
capacity in 2017," said Southern Power President and CEO Buzz
Miller. "This facility will help serve our customers with clean
wholesale energy."
With the addition of the Bethel Wind Energy Center, Southern
Power owns more than 3,200 MW of renewable generation across 36
solar, wind and biomass facilities either announced, acquired or
under construction. In total, the Southern Company system has added
or announced more than 6,500 MW of renewable generation since
2012.
Blattner Energy Inc. constructed the Bethel Wind Energy Center,
and Invenergy Services LLC will operate and maintain the facility
upon completion. Located in Castro
County, the Bethel Wind Energy Center utilizes 120 wind
turbines manufactured by General Electric Renewable Energy.
Construction activities began in January
2016 and final commissioning of the turbines is expected to
be completed in January 2017.
The majority of the electricity and associated renewable energy
credits (RECs) generated by the facility will be sold under a
long-term agreement with Google Energy. Southern Power, through its
subsidiaries, will retain the remainder of the electricity and
associated RECs, which it may keep or sell.
This project aligns with Southern Power's overall business
strategy of strengthening its wholesale business through acquiring
and constructing generating assets substantially covered by
long-term contracts.
About Southern Power
Southern Power, a subsidiary of
Southern Company, is a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider
meeting the electricity needs of municipalities, electric
cooperatives, investor-owned utilities and other energy customers.
Southern Power and its subsidiaries own or have the rights to 46
facilities operating or under construction in 11 states with more
than 12,600 MW of generating capacity in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New
Mexico, North Carolina,
Oklahoma and Texas.
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is
America's premier energy company, with 44,000 megawatts of
generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined
natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million
electric and gas utility customers through its subsidiaries. The
company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy
through electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution
utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving
wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized
provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics
and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for
excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices
that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading
commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are
inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio
of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st
century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and
creating new products and services for the benefit of
customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S.
Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs
magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50
Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise
magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and
designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The
company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History
from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and
commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among
the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most
Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at
www.southerncompany.com.
Cautionary Notes Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements:
Certain information contained in this
release is forward-looking information based on current
expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking information includes, among other things,
statements concerning the construction and subsequent operation of
the Bethel Wind Energy Center. Southern Company and Southern
Power caution that there are certain factors that can cause actual
results to differ materially from the forward-looking information
that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue
reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a
guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of
uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the
control of Southern Company and Southern Power; accordingly, there
can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized.
The following factors, in addition to those discussed in each of
Southern Company's and Southern Power's Annual Reports on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and
subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ
materially from management expectations as suggested by such
forward-looking information: the ability to control costs and avoid
cost overruns during the development and construction of generating
facilities, to construct facilities in accordance with the
requirements of permits and licenses, and to satisfy any
operational and environmental performance standards, including the
requirements of tax credits and other incentives; and potential
business strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of
assets or businesses, which cannot be assured to be completed or
beneficial to Southern Company or Southern Power. Southern Company
and Southern Power expressly disclaim any obligation to update any
forward-looking information.
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SOURCE Southern Company