AmerenUE, a subsidiary of electricity utility group Ameren, has agreed to purchase 100MW of wind power from Horizon Wind Energy's Rail Splitter wind farm near Delavan, Illinois.
The power would tie into AmerenUE’s (UE) transmission system, fulfilling its commitment to add 100MW of renewable capacity to serve its Missouri customers by 2010. UE intends to sign a 20-year purchased power agreement for the wind farm’s output. The agreement has not yet been signed, and terms are still subject to negotiation.
Once the agreement is signed, construction is expected to begin in spring 2008, with the project completed by the end of 2008. Sixty seven turbines will be located on the site, with each turbine capable of generating 1.5MW of electricity.
Tom Voss, president and CEO of AmerenUE, said: This is an exciting day for AmerenUE. It is our first venture into wind development. We will be looking for additional opportunities as we increase the amount of renewable resources in our generating portfolio.