Hoosier Energy has entered into a 15-year power purchase agreement with EDP Renewables North America that will add 25 MW of wind energy from an Illinois wind farm beginning in December.
The wind power agreement is for 25 MW from the Rail Splitter Wind Farm located roughly 25 miles west of Bloomington, Illinois. The Rail Splitter project has been in operation since 2009 with installed capacity of about 100 MW.
“Hoosier Energy is focused on providing cost-effective renewable energy for our member systems,” said Steve Smith, Hoosier Energy president and chief executive officer. “Our agreement with EDP Renewables adds more wind resources to our portfolio, which already includes wind, hydro, landfill methane and coalbed methane generation.”
The purchase agreement will provide approximately 74,000 megawatt-hours of energy annually to Hoosier Energy’s cooperative member systems and their consumers in southern Indiana and southeastern Illinois.
Hoosier Energy will also earn Renewable Energy credits (RECs) for the wind power. RECs certify the environmental attributes of renewable energy production.
“We are excited about this opportunity for partnership with EDP Renewables,” said Heath Norrick, Hoosier Energy renewable energy manager. “The Rail Splitter Wind Farm is a proven Midwest provider of renewable energy that will provide benefits for our members.”
