Duke Energy to build 69MW wind farm in Pennsylvania

Duke Energy will build a new wind farm in north-central Pennsylvania

It said yesterday that its Duke Energy Renewables unit will build, own and operate the 69-megawatt (MW) Laurel Hill Windpower Project in Lycoming County.

The wind farm will consist of 30 Siemens wind turbines, each capable of generating 2.3 MW. Laurel Hill will be capable of generating enough electricity to power more than 20,000 homes.

Duke Energy Renewables started construction of the Laurel Hill Windpower Project in August and plans to achieve commercial operation by September 2012.

“The remarkable growth we’ve seen in Duke Energy Renewables’ wind and solar business lines this year is a testament to customers like DEMEC that understand the long-term value of affordable renewable energy,” said Duke Energy Renewables President Greg Wolf.

“DEMEC is a leader in the development and support of renewable energy,” said DEMEC President and CEO Patrick E. McCullar.

“We’ve been providing green energy products to our members since 2004, well before the Delaware Renewable Portfolio Standard became law. The Laurel Hill Windpower Project is the perfect addition to our expanding renewables portfolio. We look forward to our partnership with Duke Energy Renewables and value the experience they bring as wind farm developers and managers.”

Portfolio

Laurel Hill will be Duke Energy Renewables’ second wind farm in the Keystone State.

The company already owns and operates the 70-MW North Allegheny Windpower Project in Blair and Cambria counties, roughly 95 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Duke Energy Renewables acquired the North Allegheny wind farm from Gamesa Energy USA in May 2009.

Earlier this year, Duke Energy Renewables announced plans to build the 168-MW Ironwood Windpower Project in Ford County, Kan., the 131-MW Cimarron II Windpower Project in Gray County, Kan., and the 200-MW Los Vientos I Windpower Project in Willacy County, Texas.

The company also completed the purchase of the 20-MW Shirley Windpower Project in Glenmore, Wis., in August. Since 2007, Duke Energy has invested more than $1.75 billion to grow its commercial wind and solar power businesses.