TVA Contracts with Horizon for Renewable Wind Energy

The 20-year agreement with Horizon Wind Energy LLC will supply TVA with electricity generated by 50 Vestas 1.65-megawatt wind turbines at Horizon’s Pioneer Prairie wind farm in Howard and Mitchell counties.

TVA expects to begin receiving electricity from the wind farm by January 2012, subject to applicable environmental requirements and securing firm transmission arrangements.

"We’ve seen remarkable growth this year in our wind power resources for the future," TVA Senior Vice President John Trawick said. "This continued expansion is the result of TVA’s renewed vision to be among the nation’s leading providers of clean, reliable, low-cost power."

This is the second TVA-Horizon wind energy purchase agreement this year. TVA signed a purchase agreement in February for up to 115 megawatts of wind power from Horizon.

With this latest agreement, TVA has contracted for about 1,600 megawatts of renewable wind power to the generating system. The contracts are a result of a request for proposals TVA issued in December 2008.

TVA’s current renewable energy portfolio includes more than 4,300 megawatts from hydro, wind energy, solar power and methane sources. In addition, TVA’s nuclear plants contribute 6,900 megawatts of carbon-free electricity to the power grid.

The Tennessee Valley Authority, a corporation owned by the U.S. government, provides electricity for 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states at prices below the national average. TVA, which receives no taxpayer money and makes no profits, also provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists utilities and state and local governments with economic development.

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