July 24, 2007

TransAlta expands plans for wind-power project

CALGARY

TransAlta Corp. is expanding its planned wind-power development in New Brunswick, increasing its electricity supply arrangement with New Brunswick Power Distribution to 96 megawatts from 75 megawatts

The Calgary-headquartered utility operator plans to install seven additional turbines at its Kent Hills project, about 30 kilometres southwest of Moncton.

This will increase the planned array to 32 towers, each generating three megawatts, subject to regulatory and environmental approval. The project’s cost is budgeted at $170 million.

TransAlta also said it will acquire the Fairfield Hill wind power site 60 km southeast of Moncton from Vector Wind Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. The terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

Construction on the Kent Hills wind farm is expected to begin early next year, with Atlantic Canada wind developer Natural Forces Technologies Inc. as development partner and turbines supplied by the Sweden-based Vestas Group.

The entire expected Kent Hills generation will be sold to New Brunswick Power under a 25-year agreement. The Fairfield Hill project is designed to generate up to 21 megawatts when it begins commercial operation in 2008.

Canadian Press

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