PSC approves 170-megawatt DP&L wind power purchase

Delmarva Power’s (DP&L)proposed contracts to buy up to 170 megawatts of energy from soon-to-be-built, land-based, wind projects in Maryland and Pennsylvania were approved Tuesday by the Delaware Public Service Commission, making the utility one of the first in the region to meet one state’s more stringent clean energy goals.

“With the approval of these land-based wind contracts – coupled with the recently-executed Bluewater Wind offshore contract – Delmarva Power has a solid plan to meet Delaware’s goal for 20 percent of our customer’s energy needs to be met with clean, renewable sources by 2019,” said DP&L Region President Gary Stockbridge.

“We knew wind power would be imperative to meeting those clean energy goals and we firmly believe that by investing in the wind, both on land and off the coast, Delaware and the entire region will be better for it,” Stockbridge added.

Highlights of all of the approved wind power contracts include:
• A 25-year agreement to buy up to 200 megawatts from a wind farm located off Delaware’s coast, which would be built by Bluewater Wind Delaware LLC by 2015.
• Two, 20-year contracts with Annapolis, Maryland-based Synergics Wind Energy for up to 100 megawatts of wind energy and renewable energy credits. The wind farms, slated for completion in 2009 and 2010, would be built on land in western Maryland. 
• A 15-year contract with Arlington, Virginia-based energy supplier AES Corporation for up to 70 megawatts of wind energy and renewable energy credits. The wind farm, slated for completion in 2009, would be built on land in north central Pennsylvania.

“When we set on this course, we wanted to increase the amount of renewable energy in our supply mix, we wanted to start that supply as soon as we could and we wanted to do it at the least cost and risk to our customers. By approving these land-based contracts, the commission has allowed us to reach all these goals,” said Stockbridge.