Western Wind Energy Secures Additional 100 MW Project Site In California

Vancouver, WA - Western Wind Energy Corporation ("Western Wind Energy") is pleased to announce that it has secured a new, 100 MW wind energy and solar site located near Barstow, California. This site is located on 2,400 acres and is in an area with proven, high-energy wind speeds. Previous testing indicates a mean average annual wind speed in excess of 9 meters per second or over 20 miles per hour, capable of generating net operating capacity factors in excess of 40 percent. Unlike a number of wind energy developments in the region, this property is not located in a critical habitat area for the Desert Tortoise and therefore, Western Wind Energy anticipates a normal permitting process in achieving production.

The Barstow Project is the first announcement of many new acquisitions that Western Wind Energy is currently developing as part of the previously announced "California Initiative." As a result of California's large appetite for renewable energy and the extreme scarcity of sites to satisfy this demand, Western Wind Energy is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this imbalance.

Jeff Ciachurski, CEO states "there was tremendous competition from the largest players in the investment banking and energy industries to acquire this exact piece of property. Western Wind's access to proprietary information dating back to the 1970s allowed Western Wind to make and complete the opportunity, literally, a few weeks before our competition. We are extremely proud of this accomplishment."

The Barstow Wind Resource Area is the largest wind resource opportunity in California outside of Palm Springs (San Gorgonio Pass) and Tehachapi. Barstow is also the home of over 400 MWs of solar thermal generating facilities making our site a perfect candidate for the dual purpose of the solar/wind generation profile.

SOURCE: Western Wind Energy