Horizon Wind Energy Invests Approximately $175 Million in Paulding County, Ohio

PAYNE, Ohio, March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- EDP Renewables NA (EDPR NA), through its subsidiary Horizon Wind Energy (Horizon), continues to make good progress on the construction on Ohio's first commercial wind farm – a project that will result in numerous jobs and a significant contribution to the local economy.  

The 99 megawatt Timber Road II Wind Farm currently employs over 200 construction workers and is expected to generate tens of millions of dollars in landowner royalties and property tax payments over the life of the project.  This is the first of three phases of this wind farm that Horizon plans to construct in northwestern Ohio.

Horizon has been working with over 100 local landowners since  2007 to develop the wind farm, which  consists of fifty-five wind turbines which will produce enough electricity to power more than 27,000 homes. The wind farm will bring cleaner, homegrown electricity to Ohio's power lines.

In 2008, Ohio's Republican and Democratic leaders worked together to pass a renewable energy standard to bring economic development and jobs to Ohio. In 2010, Senator Widener of Springfield led Ohio's leaders in a bipartisan effort to ensure Ohio's property tax rate would not prohibit developers interested in building wind farms in Ohio. In 2010, Horizon and AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power, signed a 20-year contract to purchase the power and renewable energy attributes from Timber Road II Wind Farm.

"Ohio's leaders have taken the necessary steps to bring a new industry to Ohio, creating jobs and boosting local economies while generating much needed revenue for local schools and governments," stated Bill Whitlock, Horizon Great Lakes Director of Development. "The support for this project at both the state and local levels is a demonstration of  the commitment Ohio has made to the production of clean energy."

Horizon has made a $100,000 contribution to the Paulding County Soil & Water Conservation Office and the Agricultural Extension Office.  In addition, Horizon plans on partnering with Vantage Career Center to educate and train employees for careers in the renewable energy industry.

This project employs Ohio based subcontractors such as Irving Concrete (Van Wert, OH); Baker-Shindler Ready Mix (Paulding, OH): Miller Brothers Construction (Toledo, OH): New River Electrical Corporation (Westerville, OH) and Osting Drainage Tile and Repair (Van Wert, OH).

About EDP Renewables NA

With over 20 offices and over 25 wind farms across the United States, EDPR NA, through its subsidiary Horizon Wind Energy, has developed more than 3,600 MW and operates over 3,300 MW of wind farms.

Horizon is owned by EDP Renovaveis, S.A. ("EDP Renewables" or "EDPR"), a global leader in the renewable energy sector that designs, develops, constructs and operates renewable generation facilities. With a sound development pipeline, first class assets and market-leading operating capacity, EDPR has undergone exceptional development in recent years. EDPR is listed on the Euronext Lisbon Stock Exchange (NYSE Euronext: EDPR).

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.edpr.com.

SOURCE EDP Renewables NA