FPL Energy dedicates 735 MW Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center - the world's largest wind farm

Oct 19, 2006 Business Wire

FPL Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of FPL Group (NYSE: FPL) today hosted about 200 guests near Abilene to dedicate the world's largest wind farm - the 735 MW Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center located in Taylor and Nolan County, Texas.

Texas State Representative Phil King and Dyess Air Force Base Commander Timothy Ray joined FPL Energy's Senior Vice President of Development Mike O'Sullivan and more than 200 local and regional guests to celebrate the commercial operation of the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center and all those that helped bring the facility to Texas.

"The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center is a great example of a project put together by a terrific team that will benefit the state of Texas for many years to come," said Mike O'Sullivan, senior vice president of development for FPL Energy. “Wind is a clean, renewable source of energy that is emission-free and has a minimal impact on the local infrastructure, while contributing to the economic well-being of local communities."

State Representative Phil King said, “The state legislature worked very hard last year to pass legislation to encourage the development of wind energy in our state. The Horse Hollow Wind project is an excellent example of the type of project we all envisioned. I look forward to working with FPL Energy and other wind developers to expand renewable energy across the state."

"The Air Force is the largest purchaser of renewable energy in the nation, and Dyess Air Force Base is leading the way as the first federal installation to use 100 percent wind-generated electricity," said Col. Timothy Ray, 7th Bomb Wing commander. "Dyess is a true success story, and we're proud to be part of this community that's so dedicated to making our nation a little cleaner for our children and grandchildren."

The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center is spread across approximately 47,000 acres in Taylor and Nolan County, Texas. The facility is comprised of 291 GE 1.5 megawatt wind turbines and 130 Siemens 2.3 megawatt wind turbines. The first phase of the project consisting of 213 megawatts was completed in late 2005; phase two consisting of 223.5 megawatts was completed in the second quarter of 2006; and, phase three consisting of 299 megawatts was completed in September. FPL Energy now operates more than 1,600 megawatts of wind in Texas alone.

"We continue to receive tremendous support for our wind development efforts throughout Texas," O'Sullivan added. "This year alone we have invested nearly $1 billion, expanding our wind business in the state. We look forward to further expanding our wind presence in the state, bringing new investment, and the benefits of clean, renewable and cost-effective power to tens of thousands of Texans."

FPL Energy, through its subsidiaries, currently operates 48 wind farms throughout the U.S. with a gross capacity of nearly 4,100 megawatts - enough electricity to power more than one million average U.S. homes. FPL Energy is currently the largest owner and operator of wind turbines in the world and operates more than 1,600 megawatts of wind power in Texas alone.