The energy marketing subsidiary of PPL Corporation has signed a power purchase agreement for wind power that will add more renewable energy to the company’s diverse generation portfolio.

PPL EnergyPlus has signed the agreement with Locust Ridge Wind Farm, LLC. The agreement calls for PPL EnergyPlus to purchase energy, capacity and renewable attributes from the Locust Ridge Wind Farm Project for 20 years once the project achieves commercial operation, which is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2007.

Locust Ridge will be located in Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, Pa., and is expected to have a capability, when running to maximum capacity, to produce 26 megawatts of electricity, which is enough electricity to power about 20,000 homes.

The project is being developed by Community Energy, Inc., which is owned by IBERDROLA, of Spain. Gamesa Corp., also of Spain, is the manufacturer of the turbines for the project. Gamesa has a manufacturing plant in western Pennsylvania.

“PPL is increasing the amount of renewable energy in its generation portfolio, and the Locust Ridge agreement represents an attractive addition to PPL’s portfolio,” said Clarence J. Hopf Jr., president of PPL EnergyPlus. Hopf said that about 10 percent of the energy PPL markets comes from renewable sources such as wind power, hydroelectric generation, solar, fuel cells and landfill methane gas generation.

“This agreement with Locust Ridge furthers PPL’s commitment to providing energy responsibly and balancing the need for affordable, reliable power with environmental concerns,” Hopf said.

NewsClip: PPL Invests in Wind Power

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