Nevada's First Wind Power Project Begins Generating Clean Energy

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern) today announced that its Spring Valley Wind project – the first wind power project in the state of Nevada – has completed construction and is fully operational. A ceremony is being held today to commence commercial operations at the 151.8 megawatt (MW) Spring Valley Wind project, which is located near the town of Ely.

"I couldn't be happier that Nevada's first commercial wind facility is located in Spring Valley," said Senator Harry Reid.  "Pattern has done a tremendous job working with White Pine County, the State of Nevada and other Federal agencies to bring clean, affordable power to more than 45,000 Nevada homes. We have just begun to tap into Nevada's tremendous wind energy resources and more job-creating projects like this will be good for our economy and our environment. Renewable energy is the way of the future. There is no reason in the world, with all the renewable energy sources Nevada has, that we shouldn't be energy independent."

"Advancing smart renewable energy development on our nation's public lands is a key component to President Obama's all-of-the-above energy strategy," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.  "Starting today, Nevada's first wind energy project on public lands will begin powering the grid.  This is a great milestone in the collaborative public-private partnership on clean energy that is creating jobs, generating power, strengthening our economy and making us more competitive globally."

"Building Nevada's first wind energy facility was a collaborative process that would not have been possible without the strong support and hard work of numerous groups and individuals across the state and around the country," said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy. "Spring Valley Wind had the benefit of receiving bi-partisan support from Senator Reid, Senator Heller, Secretary Salazar, and local government officials as well as the great people of Ely. We were also able to work constructively with many others, including the local Native American tribes and environmental groups. We thank them for their support and look forward to being a valued member of the community and providing significant benefits to the community and school system for decades to come."

"Spring Valley was built with American-made products by many locally-hired workers, including our assistant facility manager, Tom Ashby, who is a local from Ely. All of the major turbine components were manufactured in Iowa and Kansas and the project's advanced radar system was built by DeTect in Florida.  Going forward, Spring Valley Wind will generate significant local tax revenues, alleviating the burden on local taxpayers and demonstrating that this successful clean energy project is also a meaningful long-term investment in the economic health of the community," said Garland.

"Pattern was also proud to bring its environmental leadership to Spring Valley Wind with groundbreaking mitigation measures that minimize impacts on the environment," added Garland. "These measures include the preservation of cultural resources, funding for sage grouse, curtailment standards, modified electrical lines to reduce risks to birds, and an advanced radar system designed to protect birds and bats."

"Mortenson is delighted by the opportunity to partner with Pattern on such an important milestone for the state," said Tom Wacker, SVP of Mortenson Renewable Energy Groups. "The construction of Spring Valley resulted in the creation of approximately 240 jobs. Over 40 businesses throughout the state were involved during construction and nearly $10 million has been spent with those businesses on construction goods and services.  It's gratifying to be part of a project that has contributed so significantly to the local and surrounding communities."

"We are honored to once again work with Pattern as they make history in Nevada and continue to develop wind projects across the Americas," said Mark Albenze, CEO of Siemens Wind Power Americas. "This marks our 10th project completed, in development or under contract, totaling more than 800 wind turbine units capable of producing clean energy for more than 500,000 average homes.  Because of customers like Pattern, Siemens has invested more than $100 million in factories and jobs to make its state-of-the-art wind turbine blades and nacelles right here in the U.S."

Spring Valley Wind created approximately 240 jobs during construction and 13 full-time permanent positions for ongoing operations and maintenance. The wind energy project is expected to generate more than $20 million in tax revenue for White Pine County and the state of Nevada's Renewable Energy Fund over the next 20 years. Pattern has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with NV Energy for the sale of energy produced by the project.

Mortenson Construction managed construction of the project, which utilizes 66 Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbines and is connected to an existing 230 kilovolt transmission line for electricity distribution.

Spring Valley Wind will be Pattern's fourth operating wind project in North America and is one of a number of wind power projects that Pattern expects to bring into operation over the next 12 months in North America, Puerto Rico and Latin America.

About Pattern

Pattern Energy Group LP is an independent, fully-integrated energy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates renewable energy and transmission assets in the United States, Canada and Latin America.  With a long history in wind energy, Pattern's highly-experienced team of scientists, engineers, construction experts, and legal and financial professionals has developed, financed and placed into operation more than 2,500 MW of wind power projects. A strong commitment to promoting environmental stewardship drives the Company's dedication to work closely with landowners and communities to create premier renewable energy projects. Pattern currently operates more than 670 MW of installed wind energy capacity in North America, with an additional 1300 MW of wind projects entering construction over the next 12 months. The Company's full development pipeline exceeds 4,000 MW of renewable energy and transmission projects.  Pattern has offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Houston, New York, and Toronto. For more information please visit www.patternenergy.com.

Contact:

Matt Dallas
Pattern Energy
917-363-1333
[email protected]  

SOURCE Pattern Energy Group LP