Black Hills Energy participates in wind turbine project to meet Colorado's RES

Black Hills Energy - Colorado Electric announced March 24, it has filed a proposal with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to own 50 percent of an approximate 29 megawatt wind turbine project as a part of its plan to meet the State of Colorado's Renewable Energy Standard. The mandate requires investor-owned utilities to acquire 30 percent of their energy from renewable resources by 2020. Black Hills Energy also proposes to purchase the energy and renewable energy credits from EUI Development, LLC, the owner of the other 50 percent of the project.

"This wind turbine project is key to our plan to comply with the state renewable energy mandate. Moreover, it will provide local economic development opportunities for southern Colorado," said Christopher Burke, vice president of operations, Black Hills Energy - Colorado Electric. "We look forward to partnering with Vestas wind tower manufacturers in Pueblo to complete this critical project."

If approved by the Colorado PUC, the wind project will be constructed in Huerfano County, Colorado, just south of Pueblo. The filing proposes an ownership model in which Black Hills Energy will own 50 percent of the project while the other half would be owned by EUI Development, LLC, which is currently developing the property Black Hills Energy has identified for the project.

The proposed project, which would be completed in 2012 if approved, would include 16 Vestas wind turbines, components of which will be manufactured in Pueblo and at other Vestas facilities in Colorado, contributing to jobs and local economic development. On-site construction for the project, which will create approximately 55 jobs for southern Colorado, is anticipated to occur in early to mid-2012 pending county and Colorado PUC approval.