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Second major wind purchase in two months brings company close to its target
of 400 megawatts of new renewable resources in portfolio by end of 2007
PORTLAND, Ore. — PacifiCorp announced today its purchase of the 140.4-megawatt Marengo wind project, currently under construction
near Dayton, Wash. When completed in August 2007, Marengo will become part of the diverse resource mix used to supply electricity
to PacifiCorp’s 1.6 million customers in six Western states.
The project was developed by a subsidiary of Renewable Energy Systems Americas, Inc., and will be constructed by RES American
Construction Inc. (also a subsidiary of Renewable Energy Systems Americas, Inc.). Vestas-American Wind Technology, Inc. will
provide the 78 wind turbines, each 1.8 megawatts. After completion, Vestas also will provide operation and maintenance services
for the turbines for two years.
“I am pleased to see PacifiCorp making a significant investment in renewable energy in Washington,” said Washington Gov. Chris
Gregoire. “Projects like this one benefit our economy and our environment.”
With this announcement, PacifiCorp is now just 64 megawatts shy of reaching its goal of adding 400 megawatts of cost-effective
new renewable resources to its generation portfolio by the end of 2007. This was a commitment made as part of MidAmerican
Energy Holdings Company’s acquisition of PacifiCorp, finalized in late March 2006.
“We intend to be a leader in the development of renewable energy in this region, and we value renewable resources as an important
part of our generation portfolio,” said Greg Abel, chairman and chief executive officer of PacifiCorp. “Our recent success
shows it can be cost-effective for our customers, good for the environment and beneficial to local communities.”
“We’re pleased to play an important role in providing additional wind energy to this region,” said Craig Mataczynski, president,
RES Americas. “Our partnership with PacifiCorp and Vestas illustrates how companies with the same goal can work together to
successfully bring their expertise to the table for the benefit of consumers and the environment. RES Americas is focused
on developing and constructing cost-effective, efficient and environmentally sound renewable energy projects, particularly
wind, and this project is representative of our approach throughout the Americas.”
Jens Soby, president of Vestas Americas, said, “Vestas is very happy to become a supplier for another major electric utility
in the U.S. We are encouraged by PacifiCorp’s active pursuit of renewable resources as an economically and environmentally
beneficial component of its generation portfolio.”
Marengo is being built on approximately 13,310 acres of agricultural land in Columbia County and will have a several hundred
million dollar impact on the local tax base. Landowners whose property is used can expect rental payments over the life of
the facility. Construction will create short-term employment opportunities, and the operation of the facility also will create
a number of new jobs.
The project is expected to have the capability to serve the needs of approximately 37,000 customers.
About PacifiCorp
PacifiCorp is one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, providing more than 1.6 million customers
with reliable, efficient energy. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment.
PacifiCorp’s electric generating plants have a net capability of almost 8,500 megawatts from coal, hydro, gas-fired combustion
turbines and renewable wind and geothermal power. PacifiCorp operates as Pacific Power in Oregon, Washington and California,
and as Rocky Mountain Power in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho.
About Vestas-American Wind Technology, Inc.
Vestas-American Wind Technology, Inc. is a subsidiary of Denmark-based Vestas Wind Systems A/S, which is the world leader
in the field of wind technology and a driving force behind the development of the wind power industry. To date, Vestas has
sold 35 percent of the accumulated global megawatts of wind turbines installed, and has a track record of supplying more than
4,000 megawatts in the U.S. The company has offices in Portland and a workforce of 550 in North America. Vestas Wind Systems
A/S is listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.
About RES American Construction, Inc.
RES American Construction, Inc. is part of RES, a group of companies involved in the development, design, construction and
ownership of wind farms worldwide. Renewable Energy Systems (RES) is one of the fastest growing renewable energy companies
in the world and has been at the forefront of the wind industry from its onset. Founded in 1981, RES has wind projects across
four continents and is part of the United Kingdom-based Sir Robert McAlpine Group. RES is represented in the Americas by RES
Americas, which has offices in Austin, Texas, Portland, Ore., Minneapolis, Minn., and Montreal, Canada. RES Americas wind
projects currently represent more than 10 percent of the operating wind farms in the U.S. On the Web at www.res-americas.com
or info@res-americas.com
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Media inquiries:
newsdesk@pacificorp.com
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