RIO VISTA, CA — (Marketwire) — 09/24/12 — celebrates the development and construction of the Shiloh IV Wind Project today with a blade signing ceremony. The 102.5 MW (installed capacity) wind project is expected to begin delivering carbon-free electricity into the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (NYSE: PCG) generation portfolio in December 2012.
Shiloh IV Wind Project, located in Solano County, California, is the largest repowering project in the country whereby older technology is upgraded allowing for increased generation of clean energy with fewer wind turbines. Approximately 235 Kenetech 100kW turbines originally installed in 1989 have been removed and replaced with 50 REpower turbines, each with a rated capacity of 2.05 MW.
Congressman John Garamendi stated, “California has made significant strides in advancing renewable energy technology since the early generation turbines were first installed in the 1980–s and I–m pleased to see the progress here in Solano County with the addition of Shiloh IV. I applaud the partnership of EDF Renewable Energy, Pacific Gas & Electric, and the community partners who helped advance this project. Renewable energy projects like Shiloh IV are paramount to creating regional jobs, helping local businesses and building long-term economic stability.”
EDF Renewable Energy developed, built and will own the Shiloh IV Wind Project while Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) will purchase the power generated under a 25-year power purchase agreement to supply approximately 40,000 average homes with clean electricity. EDF Renewable Services will provide operations and maintenance services for the life of the project.
“The Shiloh IV project underscores the importance of technical innovation in the wind industry and its continual progress,” stated Mark Tholke, Vice President for EDF Renewable Energy–s Southwest Region. “We are pleased to be able to implement today–s state-of-the-art turbine technology to achieve more than four-times greater capacity and nearly ten-times more energy with minimal addition in land resources. Policy support, such as California–s 33% mandate for renewable energy and the federal Production Tax Credit, are critical for a stable wind industry focused on continued technological improvement.”
As part of EDF Renewable Energy–s workforce development program, and building upon last year–s $150,000 contribution, the company donated two Kenetech 100kW turbines to Rio Vista High School–s Renewable Energy Program. The Program was established by EDF Renewable Energy and the River Delta Unified School District to prepare students for careers in the green energy industry.
“The development of renewable energy is a critically important task for the nation. It takes commitment on the part of policy makers, companies, landowners and community leaders working in partnership over many years to bring a project to fruition, which in turn brings direct and indirect economic benefits to the communities in which they reside,” said Tristan Grimbert, President & CEO of EDF Renewable Energy. “We are very proud of our long-term partnership with the communities of Solano County and glad to support the creation of academic programs to prepare young people for a future in the renewable energy industry.”
“Shiloh IV continues to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to provide PG&E–s customers with sustainable green power today and as California marches forward into a clean energy future,” said Fong Wan, Senior Vice President of Energy Procurement for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. “PG&E delivers some of the cleanest energy in the nation to our customers, more than half of which comes from sources which are carbon free. We congratulate EDF Renewable Energy for their continued leadership in this vital area.”
Shiloh IV is the direct result of the state–s support for renewable energy mandates and the federal government–s recognition that renewable energy requires tax credits to level the playing field with fossil fuel based resources. In the decade since California passed the landmark Renewable Portfolio Standards in 2002, EDF Renewable Energy has actively supported these goals through the development of 1,183 MW of wind and solar projects throughout the state.
The official ceremony included distinguished guests Congressman John Garamendi, Assemblymember Steven Bradford, Chair of the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee, Assemblymember Nancy Skinner, Commissioner Mark Ferron, California Public Utilities Commission, Commissioner Carla Peterman, California Energy Commission, Fong Wan, Senior Vice President, Energy Procurement, Pacific Gas & Electric as well as local officials and representatives from EDF Renewable Energy.
EDF Renewable Energy — formerly enXco — is a leading U.S. independent power producer with more than 25 years of expertise in the renewable industry, covering all range of services from project development, management to operations and maintenance. EDF Renewable Energy specializes in wind and solar photovoltaic with presence in other segments of the renewable energy market: biogas, biomass, hydro, marine energy and storage solutions. The company develops, constructs, operates and manages renewable energy projects throughout the United States for its own accord as well as for third parties. EDF Renewable Energy–s portfolio consists of over 4.5 gigawatts of developed projects with 1.5 gigawatts of installed capacity. EDF Renewable Energy is the U.S. subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles. EDF Energies Nouvelles is the renewable energy arm of the EDF group, the leading electricity company in the world. For more information visit:
EDF Renewable Services — formerly enXco Service Corporation — is the leading third-party provider of operations and maintenance services in North America. With 25 years of experience, EDF Renewable Services understands renewable energy facilities represent a substantial investment. The company takes an owner-operator approach to ensure maximum returns on the asset, full project value, and ongoing profitability for new and existing facilities. As part of a global organization with utility-scale wind and solar plants, the company brings depth of experience to every project. With more than 6 gigawatts of wind and solar under contract, EDF Renewable Services is the trusted leader in O&M. For more information visit:
Contact:
Sandi Briner
EDF Renewable Energy
858-521-3525
Bonnie Hays
Public Affairs Consultant
916-952-5245