Tenaska acquires 470-megawatt wind development portfolio

Tenaska has acquired a 470 MW wind development portfolio in the Upper Midwest (US). The acquisition from PRC Wind comprises three mid-stage projects in Minnesota and North Dakota.

The acquired projects include 270 MW in Minnesota and 200 MW in North Dakota. All three projects will interconnect to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) regional transmission system, with one of the projects also able to interconnect with Southwest Power Pool (SPP).

PRC Wind will provide support services to Tenaska through completion of local development activities. Tenaska will assume overall development responsibility, as well as financing, construction and operations, and plans to utilize its inventory of “safe harbor” wind turbines to achieve full production tax credit qualification.

Tenaska, based in Omaha, Nebraska, has successfully developed approximately 10,000 MW of natural gas-fueled and renewable power projects. The 150 MW Tenaska Imperial Solar Energy Center West in Southern California recently achieved commercial operation, providing renewable power to San Diego Gas & Electric under a long-term power purchase agreement. The 925 MW Tenaska Westmoreland Generating Station, a natural gas-fueled power plant in southwest Pennsylvania, started construction earlier this year.

Greg Kelly, Tenaska president of development said:

“Tenaska has established itself as a leader in energy development. We successfully leveraged our expertise in natural gas-fueled power generation to solar, and now we are excited to build on our renewables record with these wind development projects.”

Joel Link, Tenaska vice president of development, stated:

“These wind projects are located in regions with both good wind resources and a growing need for renewables. We are excited to add them to Tenaska’s development portfolio.”