Duke Energy Renewables has acquired a 50% stake in 211MW Mesquite Creek Wind project in the US state of Texas.
The acquisition has been done through Duke Energy’s joint venture partner Sumitomo Corporation of Americas. The deal increases the company’s wind power generation capacity in Texas to more than 1,200MW.
Besides Mesquite Creek Wind, Duke Energy’s project portfolio in Texas includes 283MW Sweetwater Windpower Project, 59 MW Ocotillo Windpower Project, 153MW Notrees Windpower Project, 14MW Blue Wing Solar Power Project, 36MW Notrees Battery Storage Project, 200MW Los Vientos I Windpower Project, 202MW Los Vientos II Windpower Project and 200MW Los Vientos III Windpower Project.
Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Environment and Infrastructure Group senior vice president and general manager Teruyuki Miyazaki said: "Mesquite Creek Wind has been a landmark project for our company as the sixth renewable energy investment in the US.
"Having been involved in the financing and management of this project through its development, build-out and completion, we are very pleased to have Duke Energy Renewables share in ownership of the project and look forward to strengthening our partnership."
The Mesquite Creek Wind facility features 118 units of 1.7MW GE wind turbines which will generate enough power to meet the requirement of chocolate manufacturer Mars’ entire US operations.
Duke Energy Commercial Portfolio president Greg Wolf said: "Mars is an industry leader in using sustainable business practices to meet its customers’ needs.
"We’re proud to partner with Sumitomo to provide emissions-free wind energy to Mars and help them achieve their goal of carbon neutral operations by 2040."
Additionally, Duke Energy and Sumitomo jointly own the 131MW Cimarron II and 168MW Ironwood wind power projects in Kansas, which are operational since in 2012.