DTE Energy snaps up 75-MW US wind farm from NextEra

Jun 3, 2014 - US utility DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) said Monday it had acquired a 75-MW wind farm in Michigan from a unit of NextEra Energy Resources LLC.

The purchase, whose terms and value were not disclosed, is in line with the buyer’s strategy to expand its renewable energy portfolio and meet Michigan’s renewables targets. By 2015, DTE plans to have about 1,000 MW of renewable power facilities that will account for 10% of its power sales, it noted. Most of the power will come from wind parks.

Following the transaction, the name of the Pheasant Run II wind park in Huron County will be changed to Brookfield, DTE said. The plant will also halt operations for one or two weeks to transfer its ownership and convert the communication infrastructure.

The acquired facility is part of a 150-MW complex that also includes the 75-MW Pheasant Run I plant. The latter is still owned and operated by a unit of NextEra Energy, while DTE Energy will purchase its output. Each of the two 75-MW wind farms is powered by 44 turbines of 1.7 MW each, made by General Electric (NYSE:GE). Together, the plants can generate enough power to supply about 70,000 households.

NextEra Energy Resource is a unit of power producer NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE).

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