Mountaineer Wind Energy Center

The Mountaineer Wind Energy Center (formerly known as Backbone Mountain project) was initiated in 1998 by Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation. Atlantic Renewable completed the development of the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center in early 2002, at which time Atlantic Renewable brought in FPL Energy LLC as constructor, operator and owner of the project. In June, 2002 FPL Energy, LLC and Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation closed on a transaction under which FPL Energy LLC acquired from Atlantic Renewable all its membership interests in Backbone Mountain Windpower LLC, the project company of the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center.

The project is located on a 4400 acre site in Tucker and Preston counties in West Virginia. The West Virginia Public Service Commission (“PSC”) issued a certificate of necessity and convenience in December, 2000 after the project team did an extensive environmental impact assessment as required by the PSC. The project interconnects at the William Substation that is owned by Allegheny Power. The Mountaineer Wind Energy Center utilizes forty-four NEG Micon 1.5 MW wind turbines with a rotor diameter of 72 meter and a hub height of 70m.

In December 2001, Atlantic Renewable concluded a 20 year power purchase agreement with Exelon Powerteam, who will market the green attributes through a marketing cooperation with Community Energy, Inc. The New Wind Energy product from the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center will be marketed by Community Energy in the Mid-Atlantic region and has already resulted in green power purchases by Catholic University, National Geographic and the US Army.

The construction of the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center started in June, 2002. Under FPL’s construction management M.A. Mortenson was responsible for the Balance of Plant of the project as well as the installation of the wind turbines which were supplied by NEG Micon USA, Inc. M.A. Mortenson used various local subcontractors for civil and electrical works of the project. Despite rigorous winter conditions at the project site due to the early winter of 2002/2003 the project team completed the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center just before Christmas and the project went into commercial operation by December, 20, 2002.

The project is currently operating under management of FPL’s operating group. The project will on an annual basis produce enough power to satisfy the needs of more than 15,000 households in the Mid-Atlantic region.