CENTER, ND – FPL Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of FPL Group (NYSE: FPL) and Minnesota Power, an operating division of ALLETE, Inc. today joined about 200 guests near Center to dedicate FPL Energy’s Oliver County Wind Energy Center in Oliver County, North Dakota.
North Dakota Governor John Hoeven was among the dignitaries who joined FPL Energy’s Vice President of Business Management Ron Scheirer and ALLETE, Inc. Chairman, President, and CEO Don Shippar and more than 200 local and regional guests to celebrate the commercial operation of the Oliver County Wind Energy Center and the organizations that helped bring the facility to North Dakota.
Governor Hoeven said, “With Oliver Wind I and II, North Dakota takes another step forward in building our renewable energy industry in partnership with a traditional provider of energy. Projects like this are helping to grow and diversify our economy, create jobs, and enhance our energy security.”
"The Oliver County Wind Energy Center is much more than just the most recent wind farm to bring clean, renewable power to North Dakota,” said Ron Scheirer. “This project is a demonstration of people bringing their skills, knowledge and commitment together to make something good happen. Many people worked on this project, and the result is a facility of which we can all be proud.”
The Oliver County Wind Energy Center is capable of generating enough electricity to power more than 24,000 homes. Initial operation of the 54 wind turbines at the wind farm began in December 2006.
Don Shippar said, “The Oliver Wind Energy Center is an example of how good projects get done right. We signed the power purchase agreement for Oliver II on the same day Oliver I began commercial operation in December 2006. Less than a year later, Oliver II was up and running.”
Eric Norberg, vice president of strategy and planning for Minnesota Power said, "Minnesota Power is pleased to be part of this expansion of the Oliver County wind farm. This North Dakota wind resource is a key part of our strategy to expand renewable resources for our customers. Congratulations to FPLE on the development, and thanks to all the local stakeholders for their support."
FPL Energy is a leading competitive energy supplier utilizing clean fuels such as natural gas, wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear to generate electricity. It is the world’s leader in wind energy, with 56 wind facilities in operation in 16 states. It is a subsidiary of FPL Group, one of the nation's largest providers of electricity-related services with annual revenues of more than $15 billion. Additional information is available at www.FPLEnergy.com, www.FPLGroup.com andwww.FPL.com.