PPM Energy Buys Rights to Northeast Wind Power Projects

PPM Energy has purchased development rights to two projects in New England from enXco — the Hoosac wind project near Florida and Monroe, Mass., and the Deerfield wind farm, proposed to be built adjacent to the existing wind power plant in Searsburg, Vt., according the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), who spoke Aaron Barnes, senior business developer for PPM Energy.

The Hoosac Mountain project is proposed to be a 30-MW facility consisting of 20 1.5-MW turbines along two ridges. The proposal has received the necessary state and local permits, but is awaiting the results of an appeal made to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection by an anti-wind group. If the decision, which is expected this summer, is in favor of the permit, PPM Energy said that it hopes the project will be operational by the end of 2007. If it is built according to schedule, it will be the first project that PPM Energy has built in New England. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative has awarded renewable energy credit price support to the Hoosac wind power plant and another project proposed for the state. Deerfield in southern Vermont is planned to be a 33-MW project, also assuming a 1.5-MW turbine. The Deerfield project is the first proposed on U.S. Forest Service land. The developer is expecting to begin construction in 2007 or 2008, depending on when it receives the necessary federal and state authorization. Jan Johnson, director of communications for PPM Energy, said the company is well on its way toward its goal of having 2,300 MW of wind generation in operation by 2010. It now has over 1,600 MW in operation or under construction. Johnson said PPM Energy has about 9,000 MW in various stages of development in its pipeline. Information Courtesy of the American Wind Energy Association