Goldwind Americas, a Chicago-based subsidiary of Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., says it has signed an agreement with Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES) to acquire the 160 MW Rattlesnake Wind Project, located in McCulloch County, Texas.
According to Goldwind, once the Rattlesnake Wind Project is operational, it will be Goldwind’s largest U.S. wind effort to date.
“This investment in the Rattlesnake Wind Project highlights our long-term commitment to the U.S. wind market and represents our first step of a five-year growth strategy to capitalize on the extension of the production tax credit,” says David Halligan, CEO of Goldwind Americas.
Located approximately 125 miles northwest of Austin, the project will utilize 64 Goldwind 2.5 MW permanent magnet direct-drive wind turbines. According to Goldwind, this 160 MW development represents the first phase of an expected 300 MW wind project, which will be constructed under a balance-of-plant agreement by RES.
Goldwind Capital provided bridge financing to acquire the project and is in the process of arranging a financing package in partnership with financial institutions that will include construction and tax equity financing and a long-term ERCOT fixed-price hedge for power production.
