Feb 5 2008
NRG Energy, Inc. through its wholly owned subsidiary, Padoma Wind Power LLC, has entered into a 50-50 joint venture with BP Alternative Energy North America Inc. to build the first phase of the Sherbino Wind Farm. The Sherbino I Wind Farm will be a 150-megawatt (MW) wind project, consisting of 50 Vestas 3 MW wind turbine generators, located approximately 40 miles east of Fort Stockton in Pecos County, Texas.
"Zero-fuel, zero-emission wind power is a critical component of RepoweringNRG's efforts to build a diverse fuel generation portfolio that reduces NRG's carbon intensity," said David Crane, President and CEO of NRG Energy. "Padoma and NRG are pleased to partner on Sherbino with BP to combine our collective years of wind development and operations experience."
The Sherbino I Wind Farm will be located on more than 9,000 acres on a mesa with an elevation of approximately 3,000 feet above sea level. The land is primarily used for low density sheep and cattle grazing with some oil and gas development.
Padoma is managing the construction, which began in late 2007, with Mortenson Construction as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor. The project is scheduled to begin commercial operation during the second half of 2008 at which time BP will handle the operations and dispatch.
"Harnessing west Texas' abundant wind adds to our country's efforts to become more energy independent while helping further diversify the Texas fuel mix," said Jan Paulin, President and CEO, Padoma Wind Power. "Later this year, we will be online, delivering electricity to Texans to help meet the ever increasing demand for additional power."
In addition to the Sherbino project, Padoma Wind Power is in varying stages of development on other wind projects in Texas and California.