RES Americas Starts Construction on Buffalo Dunes Wind Project

BROOMFIELD, Colo., April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Americas), a leader in the construction of wind and solar projects in North America, is pleased to announce it has started construction on the 250 MW Buffalo Dunes Wind Project.  Located southwest of Garden City, Kansas, the project was developed by Kansas-based TradeWind Energy LLC (TradeWind), and is jointly owned by GE Energy Financial Services (NYSE: GE) and Enel Green Power North America (Enel).

As the general contractor, RES Americas will oversee construction of the Buffalo Dunes Wind Project. RES Americas' preconstruction team also worked closely with TradeWind Energy to optimize the project's engineering, design, and construction schedule.

The wind project is expected to employ 150 construction workers, create 15 permanent jobs, generate enough electricity to power 85,000 homes and avoid approximately 800,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year -- equivalent to the annual emissions from 153,000 US passenger vehicles.

"RES Americas enjoyed working with TradeWind, the project developer, and we look forward to completing the Buffalo Dunes Wind Project for Enel," said Andrew Fowler, Chief Operating Officer.  "Kansas is a leader in wind energy, and the continued development of its renewable energy resources will bring additional capital investment, jobs and tax revenue to the state."

"As a Kansas-based company, it is especially nice to announce another successful project in our home state," said Matt Gilhousen, Chief Development Officer for TradeWind.  "Upon completion of the Buffalo Dunes Wind Project, TradeWind will have developed 750 MW of operating wind generation in Kansas alone, representing over one billion dollars of investment and producing enough clean, renewable energy to meet the needs of over 250,000 homes." 

"TradeWind has been a leader in delivering low cost renewable energy to the Southeast and is honored to have RES Americas as a partner in yet another successful export project," Gilhousen continued.  "They are the ideal partner for engineering and construction of a project such as this, because they understand the increased complexity and challenges that come with moving power from the Midwest to the Southeast."    

The Buffalo Dunes Wind Project will use 135 GE turbines.  In addition to turbines, GE Energy Financial Services is investing in the project, and GE will provide operations and maintenance after completion. Alabama Power Company will buy most of the electricity from the project under a 20-year agreement.

About RES Americas:

Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Americas) is a fully-integrated renewable energy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates projects across North America. The company employs more than 275 full-time professionals working throughout North America, has a construction portfolio of more than 6,000 MW of renewable energy, and offers a full suite of development and construction services for wind, solar, and transmission projects. RES Americas' corporate office is located in Broomfield, CO with regional offices located in Austin, TX and Minneapolis, MN. RES Americas is part of the RES Group, a leading international renewable energy developer.  For more information, please visit www.res-americas.com.

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SOURCE Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc.