NPPD Announces 20-Year Agreement for Wind Farm near Petersburg

The Nebraska Public Power District, along with Midwest Wind Energy, LLC, Edison Mission Group (EMG), and EMG affiliate Laredo Ridge Wind, LLC, announced agreement on a 20-year power purchase agreement that will pave the way for construction of an 80-megawatt wind farm near Petersburg, Neb.

The Laredo Ridge Wind Energy Project is planned for completion by the end of 2010. The project is a direct result of NPPD’s efforts to expand participation in wind development by issuing a request for proposal in November 2008 for wind farms to be constructed near Petersburg and/or Broken Bow.

In April 2009, NPPD received 22 proposals from various developers that NPPD eventually pared down to five projects for further negotiations, resulting in the selection of projects offered by Midwest Wind/Energy/Edison Mission Group near Petersburg and Broken Bow. Laredo Ridge Wind is the third project to reach a successful agreement with NPPD, based on achieving the lowest cost of energy, when combining the power purchase agreement and associated transmission costs. Under terms of the agreement, Laredo Ridge Wind, LLC will own and operate the facility, and NPPD will purchase the electric output.

In addition, the parties have entered into negotiations on a similar power purchase agreement for Midwest Wind/Edison Mission’s proposed Broken Bow wind farm, which is expected to be operational in 2012. Midwest Wind Energy/Edison Mission currently has a 20-year power purchase agreement with NPPD for its 80-megawatt Elkhorn Ridge Wind Farm near Bloomfield, Neb., that became operational in 2009.

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