Alstom Power and Tri Global Energy LLC have entered into an agreement under which Alstom will supply 4 ECO110 and 25 ECO122 wind turbines and provide 10 years of service and maintenance for the 80-MW Fiber Winds Energy project near Lorenzo and Ralls, Texas.
This agreement, achieved prior to Dec. 31, 2013 secures a “safe harbor” position under the federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) for Fiber Winds Energy, Alstom noted in a Jan. 13 statement.
Following a financial closing, construction of the project is expected to begin in mid-year 2014, with commercial operations scheduled to commence in 2015. Tri Global Energy recently acquired 100% ownership of Fiber Winds Energy and intends to be the plant operator, providing local employment and services, expanding upon the original Tri Global Energy business model as a community developer for local landowners and investors.
“During the first 30 years following the commencement of commercial operations, Fiber Winds Energy is expected to pay $39 million in wind royalties to local landowners and community investors. It is also projected to pay $15 million in local school, county and hospital ad valorem taxes during this same period”, said John Billingsley, CEO of Tri Global Energy.
Andy Geissbuehler, Head of Alstom’s North American Wind Business, said: “The Fiber Winds contract is a sign of continued progress and demonstrates our commitment to the U.S. wind market.”
Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure, setting the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom Wind has a global supply and manufacturing footprint. Alstom Wind North America has corporate offices in Richmond, Va.; a manufacturing facility in Amarillo, Texas; and research turbines in Boulder, Colo., and Lubbock, Texas.
Tri Global Energy is currently developing utility-scale community wind power projects throughout West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. The company has 16 projects in its wind energy portfolio, representing more than 640,000 acres of wind resource sites that are under development to generate 6,300 MW of wind energy. Several are in the late stages of development that include the completion of wind resource studies, permitting, and early construction.
