Southern Power, a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider and subsidiary of Southern Company, announced the acquisition of its 12th wind project — the 136-megawatt (MW) Skookumchuck Wind Facility — from RES (Renewable Energy Systems).

"This project is a great addition to our renewable portfolio," said Southern Power President Bill Grantham. "We continue to strive to develop clean, safe, reliable and affordable wholesale energy resources for the benefit of our customers."

The project, located in Lewis and Thurston Counties, Washington, is Southern Power's first wind facility in the state and contributes to the company's growing renewable fleet of clean generating assets from California to Maine. Skookumchuck was developed by RES and is expected to utilize 38 wind turbines manufactured by Vestas. Construction is underway, and the project is expected to achieve commercial operation in the first quarter 2020.

Once operational, the electricity and associated renewable energy credits generated by the facility will be sold under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Puget Sound Energy, which will utilize the resource to meet the electricity demand of their Green Direct product customers. Southern Power is the majority owner and has signed an agreement to sell a minority stake in the facility to TransAlta Corporation upon commercial operation.

With the addition of Skookumchuck, Southern Power's wind portfolio consists of more than 1,960 MW of wind generation. Southern Power's wind facilities are a part of the company's 3,190-MW renewable fleet, which consists of 40 solar and wind facilities operating or under construction.

This project aligns with Southern Power's overall business strategy of strengthening its wholesale business by acquiring and developing generating assets that are covered by long-term contracts with counterparties with strong credit support.