CHICAGO, Illinois (May 2, 2014) – Invenergy Wind LLC (“Invenergy”) today announcedthe completion of construction and start of commercial operation of its 200.6 MW PrairieBreeze Wind Energy Center (“Prairie Breeze”) in Nebraska.
The project is sited on private land in Antelope, Boone, and Madison Counties,approximately 100 miles northwest of the city of Lincoln. Prairie Breeze consists of 118GE 1.7 MW wind turbines, with output purchased by the Omaha Public Power District(“OPPD”) under long-term agreement.
“Prairie Breeze is Invenergy’s first wind farm in Nebraska, a state which offers one ofthe nation’s best wind resources,” said Jim Shield, Chief Development Officer atInvenergy. “We’re proud to invest in Nebraska and in the economic future of the projectarea. Invenergy appreciates the strong support for this project, and we are committedto sustaining a long and successful relationship with our host community.”
“The issue of renewable energy is an important one to the stakeholders of OPPD,especially as we look to the future. OPPD remains strongly committed to providingaffordable, reliable and environmentally sensitive services to our customers,” saidOPPD Vice President of Corporate Service Sherrye Hutcherson. “We will continue toevaluate opportunities, like Prairie Breeze, where it makes good sense to expand ourrenewable energy portfolio.”
“OPPD voluntarily committed to produce 10 percent renewable energy for retail sales by2020. With this project, we will already surpass that goal,” added Dean Mueller, DivisionManager of Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship for OPPD. “In fact, by 2017,OPPD will have a renewable energy portfolio of 30 percent. You can only have that sortof progress when you have solid projects.”
Community economic benefits from Prairie Breeze include tax payments, leasepayments to landowners, and staff salaries. More than 230 skilled workers constructedthe wind farm, with Blattner Energy serving as general contractor. A full-time staff ofthirteen now operates and maintains the facility.
About Invenergy
Invenergy and its affiliated companies develop, own and operate large-scale renewableand other clean energy generation facilities in North America and Europe. Invenergy iscommitted to clean power alternatives and continued innovation in electricity generation.
Invenergy's home office is located in Chicago and it has regional development officesthroughout the United States, and in Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Europe.
Invenergy has developed more than 8,000 MW of clean energy projects that are inoperation, in construction, or under contract, including 65 wind, solar, and natural gaspower facilities. For more information, please visit
Contact: Alissa Krinsky, Director of Communications312-582-1554 or akrinsky@invenergyllc.com