CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Renewables, a commercial business unit of Duke Energy, ended 2015 with a flurry, completing its 110-megawatt (MW) Los Vientos V Windpower Project in Starr County, Texas.
With this site on line as of late December, the business added 400 MW of wind and 200 MW of solar power to its U.S. renewables portfolio in 2015.
"We've come a long way since we constructed our first 29-MW wind site in 2008," said Greg Wolf, president Duke Energy Commercial Portfolio. "The company surpassed the 2,000-MW milestone just six months ago, and we've continued to accelerate renewables growth to a year-end total approaching 2,500 MW."
"This is a remarkable accomplishment for our renewables business, which has demonstrated consistent growth over its eight-year history," said Lynn Good, Duke Energy chairman, president and chief executive officer. "As we look forward, continued growth is important as Duke Energy transitions to an increasingly clean generation portfolio."
Garland Power & Light, Greenville Electric Utility System and Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU) are purchasing the output from Los Vientos V through 25-year agreements. The facility produces enough emissions-free electricity to power about 33,000 average homes.
"These progressive municipal utilities are adding wind power to their mix in response to a greater demand for competitively-priced, clean, and sustainable energy," added Wolf. "We're proud to add them to our valued customer base."
In addition to Los Vientos V, Duke Energy Renewables completed the 200-MW Los Vientos III wind project last year and acquired half of the 211-MW Mesquite Creek wind site, which supplies energy to candy maker Mars, Inc.
Duke Energy Renewables also brought more than 200 MW of solar energy on line in 2015. It built eight solar projects in North Carolina, totaling about 160 MW, including the 80-MW Conetoe facility, the largest solar project operating east of the Mississippi to date. The business also completed the 20-MW Seville I and 30-MW Seville II solar power projects in California.
About Duke Energy Renewables
Duke Energy Renewables, part of Duke Energy's Commercial Businesses, is a leader in developing innovative wind and solar energy generation projects for customers throughout the United States. The company's growing portfolio of commercial renewable assets includes 18 wind farms and 35 solar farms in operation in 12 states, totaling about 2,500 megawatts in electric-generating capacity. Learn more at www.duke-energy.com/renewables.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at: www.duke-energy.com.
About Garland Power & Light
Garland Power & Light is the municipal electric utility for the city of Garland, Texas, providing service since 1923. With more than 69,000 customers, GP&L is the fourth largest municipal utility in Texas and the 41st largest in the nation. The utility is committed to providing excellent customer service and competitive rates, and is recognized nationally as a platinum level Reliable Public Power Provider. Visit gpltexas.org for additional information.
About Bryan Texas Utilities
BTU is a municipally owned electric utility serving over 50,000 customers in Bryan, Texas and surrounding areas. BTU has been recognized locally, in Texas and nationally for its high reliability, competitive rates and for forward thinking customer service initiatives. In 2014, BTU was one of only 29 of the nation's 2,000 public power utilities, to earn the "Reliable Public Power Provider – RP3 – Diamond Award" from the American Public Power Association.
About Greenville Electric Utility System
GEUS is owned by the city of Greenville and supplies Greenville residents with 476,907 megawatt-hours of electrical power annually through:
~ 13,000 meters
~ 32 miles of transmission line
~ 500 miles of overhead distribution line
~ 53 miles of underground distribution line
Peak demand is 121 megawatts. GEUS receives 10 percent of TMPA's Gibbons Creek Coal Plant's total output. GEUS' steam generator plant supplies peaking power.
Contact: Tammie McGee
Office: 980.373.8812 | 24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy
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