Pattern Energy Signs Power Purchase Agreement With Manitoba Hydro for 138 MW Wind Project Under Construction in Southern Manitoba

SAN FRANCISCO, March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern) and Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board (Manitoba Hydro) today jointly announced that the two companies have entered into a 27-year power purchase agreement for the sale of energy produced by St. Joseph Windfarm Inc., a 138-megawatt (MW) wind project currently under construction and located in the southern Manitoba community of St. Joseph.

"We are very proud to be in partnership with Manitoba Hydro and pleased to construct and operate the St. Joseph Windfarm, the largest wind farm in Manitoba and one of the largest in Canada," said Mike Garland, Chief Executive Officer of Pattern Energy. "St. Joseph is a world-class wind project utilizing an excellent wind resource, which brings our total premium wind projects under construction or in operation, started in the last eight months, to more than 500 MW, in addition to our continued development of more than 4,000 MW of mature wind project opportunities in Canada and the United States."

"St. Joseph allowed us the chance to apply our scientific expertise and our extensive wind experience to develop a highly-efficient wind project that will harness the strong winds of St. Joseph to create a significant source of renewable energy for Manitoba," continued Garland.  "Manitoba is a great place to do business and the local community has been very supportive. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the local economy while also creating a new source of clean energy for Manitoba and its citizens."

St. Joseph Windfarm is expected to create 200 - 225 jobs during the construction phase and approximately 15 permanent positions. The project is expected to result in the payment of millions of dollars in property taxes over the life of the project with two-thirds of the tax revenue going to education and one-third going to the host communities.

"The St. Joseph Windfarm is a welcome addition to the renewable hydroelectric and wind energy sources presently available here in Manitoba," said Bob Brennan, President and CEO of Manitoba Hydro. "It will allow us greater diversity in electricity supply options to serve Manitobans."

Mortenson Canada has begun construction on the St. Joseph Windfarm.  The project will include 60 Siemens SWT-2.3 MW turbines, which are expected to begin generating electricity by late 2010.  Manitoba Hydro has provided the project with a 20-year construction/term loan to finance a portion of the project. Terms of the power purchase agreement and construction/term loan were not disclosed.

ABOUT PATTERN ENERGY GROUP LP

Pattern Energy Group LP is an independent, fully integrated energy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates renewable energy and transmission assets across 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 2,000 MW of wind power in eleven states, including the 283.2 MW Gulf Wind project in Texas, a premier wind farm utilizing a ground-breaking wildlife monitoring system. Pattern's development pipeline exceeds 4,000 MW of renewable energy projects, including the 101.2 MW Hatchet Ridge wind project in Northern California and the 138 MW St. Joseph wind project in Manitoba, Canada currently under construction. Pattern's management team has extensive experience in developing complex transmission projects – including the Trans Bay Cable project under the San Francisco Bay – and is currently developing multiple power transmission projects.  With offices in San Francisco, Houston, San Diego, New York and British Columbia, Pattern is strongly committed to promoting environmental stewardship and is dedicated to working closely with landowners and communities to develop and operate premier renewable energy projects.

SOURCE Pattern Energy Group LP