Minnesota Power Selects Black & Veatch To Design Bison I Wind Project Capable Of Powering 33,000 Homes

Minnesota Power has selected Black & Veatch to provide detailed design services for the Bison I Wind Project near Bismarck, N.D., which will be capable of generating enough electricity to power approximately 33,000 homes.

"This project is a significant part of our efforts to meet Minnesota's 25 percent by 2025 renewable energy mandate in a timely and cost-effective manner," said Brad Oachs, Minnesota Power Vice President, Power Delivery & Transmission. "Black & Veatch's combined experience in wind project development and associated electric transmission makes them ideally suited for bringing this renewable power to our Minnesota customers."

Black & Veatch is providing Minnesota Power with detailed design engineering for the entire wind project, 23-mile generating outlet line, substation and electrical collector system.

"Wind energy is a sustainable source of power, and North Dakota has some of the best wind resources in the country," said Kurt Westermann, Vice President and Director of Black & Veatch's Renewable Energy business. "Black & Veatch's extensive experience in wind and all renewable energy technologies, coupled with our expertise in interconnecting to the electric transmission system, enable us to provide clients with single-source solutions."

The 75.9-megawatt Bison I Wind Project is Minnesota Power's first fully-owned and operated commercial wind project in North Dakota. The facility is scheduled for completion in 2011.

About Minnesota Power
Minnesota Power provides retail electric service within a 26,000-square-mile area in northeastern Minnesota to 142,000 customers and wholesale electric service to 16 municipalities. More information can be found at: www.mnpower.com.

About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, telecommunications, management consulting, federal and environmental markets. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch develops tailored infrastructure solutions that meet clients' needs and provide sustainable benefits. Solutions are provided from the broad line of service expertise available within Black & Veatch, including conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, program management, construction management, environmental, security design and consulting, management consulting and infrastructure planning. With $3.2B in revenue, the employee-owned company has more than 100 offices worldwide and has completed projects in more than 100 countries on six continents. For more information, visit: www.bv.com.

SOURCE: Minnesota Power