A unit of
BP Plc
(
BP
) - BP Wind Energy and its partner Sempra US Gas & Power have
brought online 141megawatt (MW) Mehoopany Wind Farm just a couple
of days ago following the commencement of the largest
single-build wind farm in the US history.
Situated on a 9,000-acre site around 20 miles northwest of
Scranton, the Mehoopany Wind Farm represents the largest wind
project in the state of Pennsylvania, with a total investment of
about $250 million.
To generate 141 MW of electricity, the wind farm has employed 88
GE xle wind turbine generators, each having a capacity of about
1.6 MW. The project created jobs for around 400 personnel during
its peak construction period. With the wind farm now being fully
functional, around 10-15 persons have been employed on a
permanent basis to examine and maintain the facility.
The partners have the entire power output booked by Old Dominion
Electric Cooperative and Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative
Inc. under long-term power purchase agreements. The efforts
of the National Renewables Cooperative Organization, which
facilitates the cooperatives nationwide to pool the ownership and
advantages of renewable resources, were responsible for the
accomplishment of these agreements.
The project, which has been developed by a 50:50 joint venture
between BP and Sempra, will be operated by a wholly-owned
affiliate of BP Wind Energy.
BP Alternative Energy has infused about $8 billion for
alternative energy development. The US BP Wind Energy is a
principal owner and operator of wind power facilities in the US,
with an investment of over $4 billion. The US BP Wind Energy has
stakes in 16 wind farms across nine states with a gross
generating capacity of around 2,600 MW.
BP, which recently successfully commenced production from the
Skarv field in the Norwegian Sea along with partner
Statoil ASA
(
STO
), holds a Zacks Rank #3 (short-term Hold rating). Longer term,
we maintain our Neutral recommendation.
BP PLC (BP): Free Stock Analysis Report
STATOIL ASA-ADR (STO): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment
Research