TransAlta increases Canadian wind farm plan

TransAlta (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) today announced it will expand the size and output of its Kent Hills wind power project in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, and also announced plans to buy a nearby wind farm.

The company has amended its power purchase agreement with New Brunswick Power Distribution and Customer Service Corporation from 75 MW to 96 MW for its Kent Hills facility.

Total capital costs for the Kent Hills wind power project will increase by $40 million CDN to $170 million CDN.

TransAlta also signed an agreement with Vector Wind Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Hydro Developers, for its Fairfield Hill wind power site. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

TransAlta plans to install seven additional turbines at its Kent Hills site, resulting in a total of 32 turbines, producing 96 MW. The facility will use 3 MW wind turbines from Vestas Canada Wind Systems.

The project is subject to regulatory and environmental approvals.

Construction is expected to commence by early 2008 with commercial operations beginning by the end of the same year.

Once complete, the Kent Hills wind farm will provide 280,000 megawatt hours per year, enough electricity to meet the needs of approximately 17,300 homes.

With this expanded facility, TransAlta will operate approximately 280 MW of wind generated power in Canada.

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