Allete purchases turbines from GE

With its beginnings in apple orchards, this company has returned to its green roots by machining large parts for the wind-power industry.

4669

Allete Clean Energy recently announced a 40-MW purchase of wind turbines from GE Renewable Energy. The turbines qualify for 80 percent of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and would create more than 400 MW of additional qualified wind projects through 2021. This latest purchase will bring Allete Clean Energyā€™s total wind project opportunity to approximately 1,500 MW.

The safe harbor turbines are part of Allete Clean Energyā€™s multifaceted growth strategy that includes building and operating new wind projects based on long-term power purchase agreements, and build, own, and transfer projects.

Additionally and separate of these safe harbor turbines, the company is in the midst of refurbishing some of its existing wind sites. With refurbishment efforts already underway in Minnesota and Iowa, and an expansion wind project with Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) in North Dakota, 2018 will be an active construction year for Allete Clean Energy.

ā€œAdding to our PTC qualified inventory will ensure Allete Clean Energyā€™s continued growth and demonstrates the robust pipeline of project opportunities we are pursuing that will utilize this qualified capacity,ā€ said Al Rudeck, president of Allete Clean Energy. ā€œIn working with our customers in the industry to accelerate the development of clean energy, we are finding the GE brand, reputation, and breadth of offerings will bring significant value as we advance several new and exciting projects.ā€

GE is one of the worldā€™s leading wind-turbine suppliers, with more than 35,000 turbines across the globe. The turbines will be manufactured in the U.S.

ā€œWe are delighted to work with Allete Clean Energy on this project,ā€ said Pete McCabe, president and CEO of GEā€™s Onshore Wind business. ā€Allete shares our unwavering commitment to renewable energy, and together we will help to deliver affordable, sustainable power to communities across the U.S.ā€

ā€œThe purchase of these PTC turbines will enhance our positioning to capitalize on the rapid growth of renewable energy evident throughout our country,ā€ said Allete Chairman, President and CEO Al Hodnik. ā€œWe are confident in Allete Clean Energyā€™s performance as an earnings engine as we answer the nationā€™s call to transform its energy and water landscape.ā€

Source: Allete Clean Energy

For more information, go to www.allete.com