RES Americas to Construct Phase Two of the Lower Snake River Wind Project

BROOMFIELD, Colo., June 12, 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 been selected as the balance of plant (BOP) constructor for phase two of the Lower Snake River wind farm.  Portland General Electric (PGE) announced this week that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire the development rights to the wind project from Puget Sound Energy Inc. (PSE), and that RES America Construction Inc. will serve as general contractor.

Phase two of the Lower Snake River wind farm, which is located near Dayton, Wash., northeast of Walla Walla, is expected to employ up to 300 construction workers, and once operational, create about 18 full-time jobs.  The 267 megawatt (MW) project will utilize 116 wind turbines manufactured by Siemens Energy Inc., each with a nameplate generating capacity of 2.3 MW.   When complete in 2015, the project will provide enough clean, renewable energy to power 84,000 homes. 

"RES Americas enjoyed working with Puget Sound Energy to finalize development of phase two of the Lower Snake River wind farm, and we look forward to constructing it for Portland General Electric," said Andrew Fowler, Chief Operating Officer.  "The acquisition of this project is a significant addition to PGE's renewable energy portfolio, and will ensure that PGE's customers receive even more power from clean, renewable resources."

"It's great to have another Pacific Northwest utility provider and RES Americas partner on the development of the Lower Snake River Wind project," said Roger Garratt, director of Financial Planning and Strategic Initiatives for PSE. "There's tremendous potential in the Lower Snake River project. We are thrilled to be part of its continued growth." 

RES Americas was the original developer of the Lower Snake River wind farm, and in 2009 sold the development assets to PSE, at which time PSE assumed the role of owner and developer of the project.  RES Americas also performed the BOP construction on the 343 MW Lower Snake River Wind Project – Phase I, which was completed in 2012. PSE owns and operates that project.

PGE's acquisition of phase two of the project from PSE is the result of a request for proposals for renewable resources that PGE issued last fall.  PGE found that of the 64 bids representing 39 distinct generating projects that were submitted in response, phase two of the Lower Snake River wind farm was the best-performing proposal.

Combined with PGE's existing owned and contracted renewable power generating resources, PGE's acquisition of phase two of the Lower Snake River wind farm will allow PGE to comply with state standards requiring the utility to supply 15 percent of the power it delivers to customers from qualifying renewable sources beginning in 2015.

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.