Residents and Dignitaries Join GDF SUEZ to Celebrate the Grand Opening of the West Cape Wind Farm on PEI

Jul 23, 2009 - CNW

O'LEARY, Prince Edward Island - More than 100 residents, community leaders, business executives, and government officials today joined GDF SUEZ in O'Leary on Prince Edward Island to mark the grand opening of the expanded West Cape Wind Farm, the largest wind farm in Atlantic Canada.

GDF SUEZ grew the capacity of the West Cape Wind Farm from 11 turbines capable of producing 20 MW of electricity two years ago to 55 turbines capable of producing 99 MW of electricity today -- enough to power approximately 25,000 households. The wind farm supplies clean, renewable electricity to homes and businesses locally on Prince Edward Island, as well as to homes and businesses in New England to the south.

Speaking before the assembled guests at today's ribbon-cutting ceremony, Zin Smati, CEO of GDF SUEZ's operations in North America, said, "It's right here on Prince Edward Island where GDF SUEZ entered the North American wind energy market. We want to thank you for your patience and support as we expanded this wind farm. We are proud to be your neighbor. And we look forward to contributing to the success of the region for many years to come."

"Our government is pleased to work with companies such as GDF SUEZ to invest in clean energy projects that stimulate our economy, create jobs, and protect our environment," said Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. "The expansion of the West Cape Wind Farm increases the supply of cost-effective, clean, renewable energy that we need to grow and sustain our prosperity for the future."

"Prince Edward Island has been blessed with a good wind resource - - that's a great opportunity -- but this opportunity would come to nothing without the support and investment of companies like GDF SUEZ being able to see the potential of our wind resource and to make it a reality," said Richard Brown, Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry."

The West Cape Wind Farm represents an aggregate investment of $200 million. Approximately 100 construction jobs were created during the building of the project, and 13 people are employed to operate and maintain the completed facility.

Among its power generation assets, GDF SUEZ Energy North America manages 23 renewable energy facilities powered by wind, biomass, and hydro energy, totaling a capacity of 410 MW in Canada and the United States. These carbon-free and carbon-neutral operations comprise almost one third of the company's total number of North American power generation facilities. The company is currently seeking to develop an additional 500 MW of wind energy generation in Canada and the United States.

About GDF SUEZ Energy North America, Inc.:

GDF SUEZ Energy North America, Inc. manages a range of energy businesses in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, including electricity generation and cogeneration, natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) distribution and sales, asset-based trading and origination, and retail energy sales and related services to commercial and industrial customers.

GDF SUEZ Energy North America owns and/or operates a total of 72 power, cogeneration, steam, and chilled-water facilities, including those in construction, representing a capacity of 7,750 MW of electricity generation, 6.0 million pounds per hour of steam, and 41,973 tons per hour of chilled water. The company's wholly owned subsidiary, Distrigas of Massachusetts, owns and operates an LNG receiving terminal in Everett, Massachusetts, which began operations in 1971 and currently serves most of the gas utilities in New England and key power producers, meeting approximately 20 percent of New England's annual gas demand. In addition, GDF SUEZ Energy North America has an offshore LNG import facility under construction off the coast of Massachusetts.

GDF SUEZ Energy North America is part of the international energy group, GDF SUEZ.

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