Sempra, BP join hands on 250 MW wind farm in Colorado

(ADPnews) - Nov 3, 2010 - Sempra Generation, a unit of US energy services group Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE), has joined forces with BP Wind Energy, owned by UK oil giant BP plc (LON:BP), on the 250 MW Cedar Creek II wind farm in Colorado.

As a result, Sempra has become an equal partner with BP on the project, which is currently is under construction near New Raymer. Besides Cedar Creek II, the companies are also cooperating on the 200 MW Fowler Ridge II facility in Indiana.

The wind farm in Colorado, expected to start operations in June 2011, is projected to produce enough electricity for around 75,000 homes. Its power output has already been sold under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to Public Service Company of Colorado, an Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL) company.

San Diego-based Sempra Generation operates and maintains a fleet of natural gas-fueled power plants, and develops solar and wind facilities that serve US markets. The company is expected to wrap up the 48 MW Copper Mountain photovoltaic (PV) facility near Las Vegas later this year. The project is adjacent to Sempra Generation's existing 10-MW El Dorado solar plant. The combined 58-MW solar installation will utilise nearly 1 million thin-film PV panels to generate electricity that is sold to Pacific Gas and Electric Company under separate 20-year PPAs.

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