First Wind has announced that it has obtained $206 million in financing for its Route 66 Wind project in Armstrong and Carson Counties, Texas. With financing closed for its first renewable energy project in Texas, First Wind will continue engineering and construction activities on the project.
The Route 66 Wind project is expected to deliver power to the ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) power markets through the new CREZ (Competitive Renewable Energy Zone) transmission system, and will generate clean, renewable energy through a capacity of 150 MW.
Route 66 Wind Power, LLC, a subsidiary of First Wind, closed on a $206 million financing agreement for the Route 66 project, with Morgan Stanley and Santander acting as joint lead arrangers, and Morgan Stanley serving as the administrative agent. The two have also committed tax equity into the deal. Morgan Stanley Commodities is providing a long-term ERCOT power hedge and BayernLB is providing term debt financing for the project.
Construction work began in late 2013, and is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the state of Texas. M.A. Mortenson is acting as the prime contractor. With construction activity on Route 66 Wind starting in 2013, the project will qualify for the federal wind energy Production Tax Credit (PTC).
