Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Co. and a U.S. wholesale energy provider, says it has acquired a controlling interest in the 257 MW Wake Wind Energy Center, marking the company’s first wind acquisition in Texas.
Southern Power says that Invenergy Wind LLC developed and constructed Wake Wind and owns the remaining interest in the project.
“Southern Power remains committed to strategically developing our renewable energy portfolio,” says Southern Power CEO and President Buzz Miller. “The Wake Wind Energy Center continues our growth in wind generation and will provide renewable wholesale energy to our customers.”
The Wake Wind facility, which is located in the northwest Texas counties of Crosby and Floyd, fits Southern Power’s business strategy of growing its wholesale business through the acquisition and construction of generating assets substantially covered by long-term contracts.
The company says the Wake Wind Energy Center uses 150 wind turbines manufactured by General Electric Renewable Energy. As reported, Blattner Energy Inc. was the lead construction contractor, and Invenergy Services LLC will operate and maintain the facility.
According to Southern Power, the electricity and majority of the associated renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the facility will be sold under two separate, long-term power sale agreements. Southern Power, through its subsidiaries, says it will retain a small percentage of electricity and RECs generated, which it may keep or sell.
Now, with the addition of the Wake Wind Energy Center, Southern Power owns more than 2,600 MW of renewable generation across 32 solar, wind and biomass facilities either announced, acquired or under construction. Across its system, Southern Co. has added or announced more than 4,000 MW of renewable generation since 2012.
