Dominion Announces Plans to Develop 300-Megawatt Wind Farm in Central Illinois
Dominion (NYSE: D) announced plans to develop a 300-megawatt (MW) wind generation facility in Central Illinois. Prairie Fork Wind Farm would feature 150 to 200 turbines constructed across approximately 25,000 acres in Christian and Montgomery counties, about 25 miles southeast of Springfield.
Mark F. McGettrick, president and CEO of Dominion Generation, said, "Dominion is aggressively pursuing opportunities to add to its growing portfolio of emissions-free, renewable generation. Diversity offers the most viable approach to greater energy security and stable energy prices. Prairie Fork Wind Farm represents another important step forward in our long-term strategy."
The Prairie Fork project would increase Dominion’s renewable generation capacity to nearly 1,300 MW in operation or under development. That is enough to power nearly 325,000 homes.
About 800 MW of Dominion’s renewable energy portfolio would come from wind power. This includes partnerships in two other wind energy projects: a 325-MW share of the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm under development with BP Alternative Energy North America in Benton, Ind.; and a 50% interest in a 264-megawatt project being developed in Grant County, W.Va., with Shell WindEnergy Inc. Other Dominion renewable generation includes hydro and biomass facilities.
Construction of Prairie Fork Wind Farm is expected to begin in 2010, subject to necessary permits and approvals. Commercial operation could follow in 2011. The project would be developed by Dominion Energy, Inc., a Dominion subsidiary.
About Dominion
Dominion is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 26,500 MW of generation, 1.1 trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved natural gas and oil reserves and 14,000 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline.
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