New Wind Turbines Dedicated on Buffalo Mountain Wind Park
April 22, 2005
OLIVER SPRINGS, Tenn. – Fifteen new wind turbines more than 260 feet tall with blades 135 feet long high on top of Buffalo Mountain – the southeast’s first large-scale, commercial wind park -- are generating enough energy to power more than 3,500 homes in the Tennessee Valley.
TVA and Invenergy, a Chicago-based energy development company, today dedicated the new turbines in celebration of Earth Day, along with representatives from the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy.
In 2003, TVA and Invenergy signed a 20-year power purchase agreement to add 27 megawatts of generating capacity to the 2 megawatts already provided by three wind turbines in the Buffalo Mountain Wind Park.
The expansion on Buffalo Mountain added 15 larger wind turbines, each capable of generating 1.8 megawatts of electricity. TVA’s original wind turbines have a generating capacity of 660 kilowatts each. The new turbines, which were constructed and owned and operated by Invenergy TN LCC, an affiliate of Invenergy LLC, began operating in December 2004.
“The Buffalo Mountain wind farm has grown from three to 18 turbines in response to increased demand for renewable energy by Valley consumers, and it clears the way for TVA and distributors of TVA power to offer Green Power Switch® to more people,” said TVA Director Skila Harris. ”When you choose renewable energy through Green Power Switch®, you are helping support sustainable resources and renewable technology development in the Tennessee Valley.”
“Invenergy is proud to work with TVA on the first large wind project in the southeastern United States and to be a key component in TVA’s Green Power Switch ® program,” said Invenergy President Michael Polsky. “Invenergy is committed to the development of wind energy as a clean source of electricity. Programs such as the Green Power Switch® are integral to the continued development of wind energy through the country.”
Prior to the addition of new wind turbines to TVA’s renewable energy portfolio, wind power was the source of 14 percent of TVA’s green power capacity. Now, wind power accounts for about 73 percent of Green Power Switch®, the green power product offered to consumers by participating distributors of TVA power.
Currently, a total of 76 local power companies offer the renewable energy option to consumers throughout the Tennessee Valley. As of March 2005, 7,035 residential customers and 352 businesses are purchasing green power each month. Residential and commercial customers can sign up for green power at www.greenpowerswitch.com, which lists all participating distributors, or by calling their local power distributor.
Invenergy is a developer, owner and operator of power generation and energy delivery assets. Invenergy’s mission is to recognize and execute on energy asset transaction opportunities with significant value creation potential. Utilizing a strategy of active development and acquisitions, Invenergy is building a portfolio of diversified energy assets.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.5 million consumers in seven southeastern states.
Media Contact
Michelle Sherrard
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
