BP PLC 
Release date: 08 January 2013
BP Wind Energy and Sempra US Gas & Power announced today that the Mehoopany Wind Farm has moved into full commercial operation. The wind farm is the largest wind project in the state of Pennsylvania and represents a combined investment of approximately $250 million.
Located on a 9,000-acre site some 20 miles northwest of Scranton, the Mehoopany Wind Farm utilizes 88 GE xle wind turbine generators each with a rated capacity of 1.6 megawatts (MW) to produce 141 MW of electricity.
Some 10-15 permanent jobs have been created to monitor and maintain the facility now that it is in commercial operation. Over 400 jobs were created during the peak of construction of the wind farm.
"Today's announcement is an important milestone that marks yet another success for the BP and Sempra US Gas & Power teams that have worked so hard to deliver this project into full commercial operation," said John Graham, president and CEO, BP Wind Energy. "We appreciate the on-going support that we have received at both the state and local level and look forward to a long-term partnership in the community."
"This is a great project all the way around," said Jeffrey W. Martin, president and CEO of Sempra US Gas & Power. "The State of Pennsylvania has been a recognized leader in providing critical fuels to help grow our nation's economy for over a century. This project continues in that proud tradition by harnessing clean, sustainable wind energy that will benefit mid-Atlantic customers for decades to come."
The entire power output has been sold under long-term power purchase agreements with Old Dominion Electric Cooperative and Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative Inc. The agreements were made possible through the efforts of the National Renewables Cooperative Organization, which enables cooperatives nationwide to pool the ownership and benefits of renewable resources.
BP and Sempra US Gas & Power are 50:50 joint venture partners in the Mehoopany Wind Farm. A wholly-owned affiliate of BP Wind Energy will be the operator.
BP has invested more in the United States over the last five years than any other oil and gas company. With more than $52 billion in capital spending between 2007 and 2011, BP invests more in the US than in any other country. The company is the second largest producer of oil and gas in the US, a major oil refiner and a leader in alternative energy sources including wind power and biofuels. BP provides enough energy each year to light the entire country. With 23,000 US employees, BP supports nearly a quarter of a million domestic jobs through its business activities. For more information, visit www.bp.com.
Since 2005, BP Alternative Energy has invested around $8 billion in alternative energy development, with more than $4 billion invested the US BP Wind Energy is a principal owner and operator of wind power facilities in the US with interests in 16 wind farms across nine states. BP Wind Energy has a gross generating capacity of approximately 2,600 MW - enough electricity to power over 775,000 average American homes. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.bpalternativenergy.com
Sempra US Gas & Power, LLC is a leading developer of renewable energy and natural gas solutions. The company operates solar, wind and natural gas power plants that generate enough electricity for nearly 1 million homes, along with natural gas storage and pipelines, and distribution utilities. Sempra US Gas & Power is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2011 revenues of $10 billion. The Sempra Energy companies' nearly 17,500 employees serve about 31 million consumers worldwide. For more information, visit www.SempraUSGP.com.
Included in BP Wind Energy and Sempra US Gas & Power's joint venture portfolio:
- Fowler Ridge 2 Wind Farm in Benton County, Indiana: Located about 90 miles northwest of Indianapolis, this 200 MW wind farm utilizes 133 GE sle turbines each with a rated capacity of 1.5 MW. The wind farm became operational in December 2009 and is operated by BP.
- Cedar Creek 2 Wind Farm in Weld County, Colorado: Located some 20 miles north of New Raymer, this 250 MW wind farm utilizes 63 GE sle wind turbines, each with a rated capacity of 1.6 MW, and 60 Nordex wind turbines, each with a rated capacity of 2.5 MW. The wind farm became operational in October 2011 and is operated by BP.
- Auwahi Wind Farm, Hawaii: Located on the island of Maui, this 21 MW wind farm became operational in December 2012. The wind farm utilizes 8 Siemens wind turbines and is operated by Sempra US Gas & Power.
- Flat Ridge 2 Wind Farm in Barber, Harper, Kingman and Sumner Counties, Kansas: Located about 40 miles southwest of Wichita, this 470 MW wind farm utilizes 294 GE turbines each with a rated capacity of 1.6 MW. The wind farm became operational in December 2012 and is operated by BP.
Further information:
Phone :+1 281 366 4463
Email:uspress@bp.com
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