WEC increases its stake in 750MW USA wind portfolio to 90%

WEC Energy Group has agreed to increase its ownership interest from 80% to 90% in 750 MW USA Midwest wind portfolio: 250 MW Blooming Grove Wind Farm in Illinois; 300 MW Thunderhead Wind Energy Center and the 200 MW Upstream Wind Energy Center both located in Nebraska. The total investment is US$118 million for an additional 75 megawatts of capacity from Invenergy.

Invenergy is currently developing the Blooming Grove and Thunderhead projects that are expected to achieve commercial operation by the end of 2020. The Upstream Wind Energy Center, also developed by Invenergy, began service in January 2019.

All three wind farms have long-term offtake agreements with affiliates of investment-grade multinational corporations.

The Upstream Wind Energy Center is installed in Antelope County, Nebraska. With 81 wind turbines, the wind farm supplies power to as many as 68,000 homes and businesses.

The Thunderhead Wind Energy Center is being constructed in Antelope and Wheeler counties, Nebraska. The Thunderhead site will be comprised of 108 GE wind turbines with a combined capacity of 300 megawatts.

Located in McLean County, Illinois, the Blooming Grove wind project will be powered by 94 GE turbines that will generate enough electricity to supply 69,000 homes per year.