Horizon Wind Energy Inaugurates its 13th Wind Farm in the U.S.

HOUSTON, Oct 02, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Nation's third-largest wind-power company begins operations at the Rattlesnake Road Wind Farm in Oregon Horizon Wind Energy, LLC, a leading wind energy company, owned by EDP Renovaveis, the 4th largest wind energy player in the world, announced today that it will start producing clean, renewable energy, this week, at its Rattlesnake Road wind farm in the State of Oregon.

 

Located in Gilliam County, Rattlesnake Road Wind Farm has an installed capacity of 103 MW and will be fully operational by the end of 2008. "This is Horizon Wind Energy's second wind farm in Oregon; we will now have more than 200 MW in the region and are continuing to research new opportunities," said Antonio Martins da Costa, CEO of Horizon Wind Energy. "The west coast is a highly attractive region for the wind industry because of its abundant resources and vastly populated areas, which drives a high demand for clean energy," added Martins da Costa.

 

Horizon is hosting a dedication ceremony at the Rattlesnake Road Wind Farm, that will take place today. Several representatives of local authorities and landowners will be present. "The Rattlesnake Road project brings many environmental and economic benefits to the region, including the creation of more than 200 jobs during the construction phase, with several of those positions permanent," said Gabriel Alonso, Chief Operational Officer of Horizon Wind Energy.

In addition, Horizon Wind Energy will significantly contribute to property taxes and landowner royalties. Horizon Wind Energy also developed, owns and operates the Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm, located in Oregon's Union County. Elkhorn Valley has been fully operational since December 2007.

 

On September 26th, the company commissioned the first turbines at its Pioneer Prairie Wind Farm in Iowa. The succession of events demonstrates Horizon's fast paced growth and the company's commitment to expanding the potential of U.S. wind energy. Horizon Wind Energy now has 13 wind farms in operation throughout seven states in the U.S and more 11,000 MW under development.

 

 

Rattlesnake Road Wind Farm is located near the City of Arlington in Gilliam County, Oregon, on approximately 8,500 acres of private ranch land that overlooks the windswept banks of the Columbia River. It has an installed capacity of 103 megawatts (MW), enough to power approximately 30,000 average homes with clean energy. Rattlesnake Road Wind Farm consists of 49 Suzlon S88 2.1MW turbines.

 

Once fully operational, the Rattlesnake Road Wind Farm will prevent the annual emission of 70,000 tons of carbon dioxide, a contributor to climate change; 170,000 pounds of nitrogen oxide, which causes smog; and nearly 170,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide, which causes acid rain. In addition, the Wind Farm will displace 1,000 pounds of mercury each year. The environmental benefits are equivalent to taking 7,000 cars off of the road.

About Horizon Wind Energy

 

Horizon Wind Energy develops, constructs, owns and operates wind farms throughout North America. Based in Houston, Texas with over 20 offices across the United States, Horizon has developed more than 2,000 megawatts (MW), operates over 1,500 MW of wind farms and has 700 MW more under construction.

 

Horizon is owned by EDP Renovaveis S.A. ("EDPR"), a global leader in the renewable energy sector. EDPR has undergone exceptional development in recent years. Its installed capacity increased four-fold between 2005 and 2007, becoming the fourth largest wind energy producer in the world. EDPR is listed on the Euronext Lisbon Stock Exchange.

Energias de Portugal, S.A. ("EDP"), the parent company of EDPR, is a vertically-integrated utility company, headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal. Through its various constituent businesses, EDP holds significant electricity and gas operations in Europe, Brazil, and the United States.

 

For more information, visit www.horizonwind.com and www.edprenovaveis.com.