Mortenson Building Nine New Wind Power Projects Throughout U.S. and Canada

MINNEAPOLIS, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The Renewable Energy Groups of Minneapolis-based Mortenson Construction is currently building nine new wind power projects throughout the United States and Canada, all of which are expected to come on-line in 2010, generating more than 800 megawatts of clean, natural wind power.  In addition, Mortenson expects to start projects in Fall 2010, generating 800 to 1,000 megawatts.

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Since entering the renewable energy market in 1995, Mortenson has become a leading builder of wind power facilities in North America.  Today, Mortenson has been involved in the construction of nearly 100 wind power projects in 26 states and provinces, erecting more than 5,000 wind turbines generating approximately 10,000 megawatts across the United States and Canada.  Mortenson's Renewable Energy Groups employ about 250 team members with dedicated teams to deliver renewable energy projects (wind, solar, geothermal, hydro) to its growing list of customers. Engineering News-Record ranked Mortenson as the 13th largest power contractor in the U.S. for 2010. Mortenson's Renewable Energy Groups are 100% focused on renewable energy.  

"The quality and the number of the wind power projects we're working on is a testament to the trust that wind power developers have placed in Mortenson," said Tom Wacker, senior vice president and head of Mortenson's Renewable Energy Groups.  "We've been there since the beginning, pioneering wind power construction techniques that are now the standard throughout the industry today. We believe the current projects we're working on speak to the strength and maturity of the wind power industry and of the future growth in renewable energy to come in the years ahead."

New wind power construction projects currently being constructed by Mortenson's Renewable Energy Groups, include:

Hardscrabble Wind Project – Mortenson was recently selected by Iberdrola Renewables to construct the Hardscrabble Wind Project near Fairfield, N.Y. in upstate New York near Utica.  Mortenson will erect 37 Gamesa 2.0-megawatt wind turbines to generate a total of 74 megawatts.  This project represents one of the first major installations of 100-meter towers in North America.  In addition, Mortenson will build access roads, turbine foundations, an operations building, and a meteorological tower.  Construction will begin in May; the wind power facility is expected to become operational by December 2010.

Elm Creek II Wind Project – Selected by Iberdrola Renewables, Mortenson is erecting 62 Mitsubishi 2.4-megawatt wind turbines at this 148.8-megawatt wind power facility located near Jackson in southwestern Minnesota. Mortenson built the 99-megawatt Elm Creek I project for Iberdrola Renewables in neighboring Trimont, Minn. in 2008. Elm Creek II will become operational by December 2010.

Nobles Wind Project – Mortenson is erecting 134 General Electric 1.5-megawatt wind turbines for the 201-megawatt Nobles Wind Project, located on 49 square miles of farmland in Nobles County about three hours south of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Mortenson also is installing 33 miles of access roads, 86 miles of collection system, 134 foundations, a switchyard to feed an existing substation, and an operations and maintenance facility.  A unique feature of this project is the use of buoyant foundations to accommodate the site's high water table. The Nobles Wind Project is the 17th wind power facility that Mortenson has built with long-term partner enXco and is the second project that enXco and Mortenson have constructed for Xcel Energy.  The Nobles Wind Power facility is expected to become operational in December 2010.

Goshen North Wind Project – Selected by BP Wind Energy North America, Inc., Mortenson Construction is erecting 83 General Electric 1.5-megawatt wind turbines at this wind power facility located near Idaho Falls, Idaho.  This 125.5-megawatt project also includes the installation of 28 miles of access roads, 37 miles of underground collection, seven miles of 161kV transmission line, a project substation, interconnect substation, and an operations and maintenance facility. A blade signing ceremony is scheduled for June 2, 2010 in Idaho Falls.

Gosfield Wind Project – Mortenson is constructing a 50-megawatt wind power facility for Brookfield Renewable Power, a global developer based in Quebec.  The Gosfield Wind Project is located in southwestern Ontario, an agricultural region often referred to as the Canadian "Banana Belt."  For this project, Mortenson Construction is erecting 22 Siemens 2.3-megawatt wind turbines.  Construction began in May with the project expected to be operational by September 2010.  

Penascal II Wind Project – Mortenson recently completed the engineering and construction of Iberdrola Renewables' 201.6-megawatt Penascal II Wind Project near Sarita, Texas.  For this project, Mortenson erected 84 Mitsubishi 2.4-megawatt wind turbines. The project represents the 10th wind power project constructed by Mortenson for Iberdrola Renewables.  The project became operational in April 2010 and power from this project is delivered to customers of CPS Energy of San Antonio and the South Texas Energy Cooperative (STEC).

Dokie Wind Project – Selected by GE Energy Financial Services and Plutonic Power Corporation, Mortenson is providing engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) for the first phase of the Dokie Wind Project in Chetwynd, British Columbia, located about 675 miles northwest of Vancouver, B.C.  Mortenson is erecting 48 Vestas 3.0-megawatt wind turbines, which will provide 144 megawatts of clean, renewable power to the region, which will be purchased by BC Hydro.  The Dokie Wind Project is expected to be operational by December 2010.

St. Joseph Wind Farm – Mortenson is building the 138-megawatt St. Joseph Wind Farm near Montcalm, Manitoba, about 15 miles north of the Minnesota-Manitoba border.  Selected by Pattern Energy Group and BowArk Energy to provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), Mortenson will erect 60 Siemens 2.3-megawatt wind turbines for the St. Joseph Wind Farm, which is expected to become operational by December 2010.

Linden Wind Farm – Mortenson recently completed the 50-megawatt Linden Wind Farm, located near Goldendale in southern Washington for enXco.  For this project, Mortenson is erecting 25 RePower 2.0-megawatt turbines.

About Mortenson Construction

Founded in 1954, Mortenson Construction is a U.S.-based, family-owned construction company. Ranked as the 24th largest contractor in America for 2010, according to Engineering News-Record, Mortenson provides a complete range of services, including planning, program management, preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, design-build, and turn-key development.  Mortenson has offices in Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Phoenix, and Seattle with international operations in Canada and China.

SOURCE Mortenson Construction