Energy supplier Constellation Energy agreed to acquire the Criterion wind project in Garrett County, Maryland, in a partnership that could power 23,000 households using renewable energy resources, chief executive, chairman and president Mayo Shattuck announced this week.
Under the partnership, Constellation Energy will develop, construct, own and operate the $140 million, 70-megawatt Criterion wind project, currently owned by Clipper Windpower, and purchase 28 of Clipper’s 2.5-megawatt Liberty wind turbines. The Criterion project gained approval in 2008 from the state of Maryland under wind development laws passed the previous year.
"These projects have the potential to produce high-paying construction jobs while increasing and diversifying energy supply in the state of Maryland," said Mayo Shattuck.
The deal is set to close in the first quarter of 2010, and Constellation Energy expects to begin commercial operation of the wind energy project in the fall of 2010. The nonprofit Old Dominion Electric Cooperative agreed to purchase energy and renewable energy credits produced by the wind power facility.
The wind project is one of several renewable energy projects Constellation Energy is currently pursuing. The company completed a 1-megawatt solar panel project, and built a 300-kilowatt solar system for the Maryland Environmental Service within the last year.
"Constellation Energy remains committed to pursuing clean, green energy generation and conservation projects in Maryland," said Mayo Shattuck.
Constellation Energy Group is an energy supplier based in Baltimore and founded in 1903. It operates 35 power plants in 12 states through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, its regulated utility in Central Maryland. The company runs traditional fossil fuel and nuclear power plants in addition to renewable energy facilities. Mayo Shattuck became chief executive of the company in 1994.
