Dec 27 2010
TransAlta recently announced commissioning of 123 megawatts (MW) from two wind facilities, one in Alberta, the other in New Brunswick, both ahead of schedule and on budget.
According to Steve Snyder, president and CEO, with the completion of these two facilities the company’s wind portfolio has been enhanced to 1,073 MW.
The $135-million Ardenville facility, about eight kilometres south of Fort Macleod, Alberta, involved installation of 23 Vestas V90-3.0 MW wind turbines. The facility has a capacity of 69 MW and is likely to generate enough power for about 11,500 average homes.
The $102-million enhancement to the Kent Hills facility, about 33 kilometres southwest of Moncton, New Brunswick, has increased the existing capacity by 54 MW with installation of 18 Vestas V90-3.0 MW turbines. The expansion will generate enough electricity to meet the needs of around 9,000 homes.
The company is currently operating an installed 3,549 MW wind capacity. Over the last two years, it has constructed three new wind facilities and completed expansions of two existing facilities. Its renewable energy portfolio now totals 2,155 MW, including 1,073 MW of wind, 893 MW of hydroelectric, 25 MW of biomass and 164 MW of geothermal energy in California through a partnership with CE Generation LLC.