Chicago – Invenergy Wind announced today that it has made lease agreements with more than 240 landowners in Gratiot County through its affiliate, Gratiot County Wind LLC,and will break ground on a 30,000-acre wind farm this fall near Breckenridge, MI. This state-of-the-art wind farm will be the largest in Michigan and produce 200 MW of new wind energy, which has the capacity to power nearly 54,000 homes. Earlier this week,the Michigan Public Service Commission approved Detroit Edison’s 20-year power purchase agreement with Invenergy to provide renewable electricity to its customers.
“We have found great support from landowners and local officials in Gratiot County,who see the benefits of harvesting an abundant local resource. The partnerships between Invenergy, landowners, and local officials will lead to more clean power production and economic development for the area,” said Kevin Parzyck, development manager.
The wind farm will produce millions of dollars in yearly tax revenue for Gratiot County and local municipalities, which can be used for schools, fire and police protection, road repair and other improvements throughout the area. In addition, the project will support the local economy through substantial yearly lease payments to landowners and new, skilled jobs for Michigan workers.
Invenergy Wind is one of the largest wind companies in the United States and has a track record of bringing economic benefits and jobs to communities where its facilities arelocated. The Gratiot wind farm project is expected to create more than 150 constructionjobs for skilled Michigan workers. To operate the wind farm, Invenergy will hire 15 full-time local high-tech workers. They will be based in a brand-new operations andmaintenance building currently planned for the Town of Breckenridge. Invenergy will also utilize local vendors throughout the construction and maintenance of the facility.
In 2009, Invenergy Wind purchased some of the founding assets for the Gratiot County wind farm from Michigan developer Wind Resource LLC and has continued to work with Wind Resource to bring the project to completion.
“The planning and development phase of the project is wrapping up nicely and we are moving forward with plans to begin construction this fall,” Parzyck said.
Invenergy expects turbines will be delivered in the spring of 2011, with erection continuing through next summer and fall.
“Thanks to strong support and assistance from local business, municipal and community leaders, forward thinking landowners and experts from Wind Resource, we have been able to move this project along at a steady pace. We expect to wrap up construction andbe operational in late 2011,” Parzyck said.
About Invenergy Wind LLC
Invenergy Wind and its affiliated companies develop, own and operate large-scale renewable and other clean energy generation facilities in North America and Europe. Invenergy is the sixth-largest wind generating company in the United States, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Foradditional information, visit www.invenergyllc.com. ###
Contact
Kevin Parzyck
312-582-1515 (office)
630-202-2558 (cell)