PORTLAND, Ind., Dec. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- State and local
leaders and landowners joined executives from NextEra Energy
Resources, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE), and American
Electric Power (AEP) to celebrate the commissioning of the Bluff
Point Wind Energy Center, which has created hundreds of
construction jobs as well as millions of dollars in economic
benefits for the region.
"On behalf of Governor Holcomb, I am very pleased to help
commission this exciting project that represents a $200 million investment in our state," said
Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch.
"It has created good jobs for Hoosiers and an economic uplift for
the region, as well as low-cost, clean energy, which is a product
we can all be proud of."
The Bluff Point Wind Energy Center features 57 GE wind turbines
designed to pivot to capture the prevailing wind and convert it to
clean, renewable electricity. Together, they have a generating
capacity of nearly 120 megawatts. Affiliates of NextEra Energy
Resources, the world's largest generator of renewable energy, built
and will own and operate the project. The energy serves customers
of Appalachian Power, an affiliate of AEP.
"AEP and Appalachian Power are pleased to partner with
NextEra Energy Resources on this beneficial project
that helps modernize and diversify the power
generation fleet and provides low-cost, clean energy to
customers," said Marc Lewis, vice
president of regulatory and external affairs for Indiana
Michigan Power, an AEP company.
Appalachian Power serves 1 million customers in Virginia, West
Virginia and Tennessee. The
company has been moving toward a more diversified energy portfolio
that will include more wind-generated power, new solar, demand-side
management and energy efficiency as well as existing hydropower,
coal and natural gas plants.
"This is our company's first project in Indiana and we look forward to making more
investments here," said John
DiDonato, vice president of renewable development and
origination for NextEra Energy Resources. "We are grateful for our
partnership with AEP, and for the tremendous support this project
has received from the governor's office and of course the people of
Jay and Randolph counties, who stand to benefit from
it for years to come."
The Bluff Point Wind Energy Center is providing a significant
economic boost for Jay and
Randolph counties, creating
approximately 200 jobs during the construction phase this year, and
five full-time jobs to support it once it became operational in
October. The project is expected to provide more than $30 million in new tax revenue to the county
governments over its first 30 years of operations, and nearly
$21 million in payments to local
landowners. From labor and materials, to housing, health care and
construction - a wide variety of local businesses have benefitted
from the influx of economic activity.
"We are very proud to host the Bluff Point Wind Energy Center
right here in Jay County," said
Jeanne Houchins, Jay County Council
member. "This project has already created a great deal of
enthusiasm and positive economic activity in our community. The
extra tax revenue it generates will go a long way to help our
county enhance our schools, roads and essential services."
NextEra Energy Resources
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (together with its affiliated
entities, "NextEra Energy Resources"), is a clean energy leader and
is one of the largest wholesale generators of electric power in the
U.S., with approximately 19,990 megawatts of generating capacity,
which includes megawatts associated with noncontrolling interests
related to NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP), primarily in 29
states and Canada as of year-end
2016. NextEra Energy Resources, together with its affiliated
entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from
the wind and sun. The business operates clean, emissions-free
nuclear power generation facilities in New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin as part of the NextEra Energy
nuclear fleet, which is one of the largest in the United States. NextEra Energy Resources,
LLC is a subsidiary of Juno Beach,
Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more
information, visit www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
AEP/Appalachian Power
Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West
Virginia and Tennessee (as
AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power,
one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity and
custom energy solutions to nearly 5.4 million customers in 11
states. Based in Columbus, Ohio,
AEP is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and
delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our
customers. AEP's more than 17,000 employees operate and maintain
the nation's largest electricity transmission system and more than
224,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe,
reliable power to nearly 5.4 million regulated customers in 11
states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity
producers with approximately 33,000 megawatts of diverse generating
capacity, including 4,200 megawatts of renewable energy. In
addition to Appalachian Power, AEP's family of companies includes
utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas,, Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky
Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power
Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy
Partners, AEP OnSite Partners and AEP Renewables, which provide
innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide.
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SOURCE NextEra Energy Resources