Dominion, Shell WindEnergy's West Virginia Wind Project To Add Second Phase

Richmond, VA - Dominion and Shell WindEnergy Inc. announced recently that they plan to add a second phase to their wind energy project currently under construction in Grant County, W.Va.

Dominion and Shell WindEnergy Inc. have formed a company, NedPower Mount Storm LLC, to own the facility. The first phase of the project — 82 turbines producing 164 megawatts, or enough electricity for 41,000 homes — is under construction at a site near Dominion's Mount Storm Power Station. It is scheduled to begin operation in the fourth quarter of 2007.

The second phase — 50 turbines producing 100 megawatts, or enough electricity for 25,000 homes — will be developed adjacent to the existing site, and is expected to go into operation in 2008, subject to receiving all necessary permits and approvals.

The electricity generated by the wind turbines would flow across power lines from Mount Storm Power Station, including a 500,000-volt transmission line that Dominion has proposed to increase the supply and reliability in Northern Virginia. Electric demand in the region has grown by about 40 percent over the last decade and is projected to grow by another 8 percent by 2011.

"This continues to be a great opportunity for Dominion to increase its renewable energy portfolio and provide reliable electricity to its customers," said Thomas F. Farrell II, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "This expansion is another step we are taking to meet our customers' demand for electricity in an environmentally sound manner."

The wind facility is being constructed on the Allegheny Front, which has an average elevation of 3,100 feet at the project site. The region around Mount Storm Power Station has been identified as one of the best wind turbine locations in the eastern United States.

SOURCE: Dominion and Shell WindEnergy Inc.