EDF Energies Nouvelles acquires 175 MW wind project in the United-States, with a Power Purchase Agreement with Microsoft Corporation

EDF Energies Nouvelles announced its US subsidiary EDF Renewable Energy has secured a 96% stake in the 175 MW Pilot Hill Wind Project from Orion Energy Group LLC and Vision Energy LCC. This project, located in Illinois, benefits from a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with Microsoft Corporation.

Located 60 miles southwest of Chicago, the future wind farm will be connected to the grid that powers Microsoft’s Chicago area datacenter.

Physical construction on site is to commence shortly. The wind turbines will be supplied by General Electric (GE) and Vestas. Its entry into commercial operation is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015.

“The participation of companies like Microsoft in renewable energy generation projects points to a growing trend of ‘blue chip’ organizations taking charge of their energy destiny by procuring directly, with a focus on both reducing their carbon footprint and controlling long-term energy costs. It is encouraging to see leading corporations investing in the US wind sector”, stated Ryan Pfaff, Executive Vice President for EDF Renewable Energy.

With 5.7 gigawatts of renewable projects developed throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, EDF Energies Nouvelles is one of the largest renewable energy developers in North America.