Cactus Flats Wind Facility in Texas is operational

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Aug 03, 2018, 09:00 ET

ATLANTA, Aug. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Power, a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider and subsidiary of Southern Company, today announced that the 148-megawatt (MW) Cactus Flats Wind Facility in Concho County, Texas is operational.

"Cactus Flats highlights Southern Power's ongoing commitment to the development of wind energy, and we are pleased to see this project achieve commercial operation," said Southern Power President and CEO Mark Lantrip. "We look forward to supporting our customers' sustainability efforts through the delivery of clean, safe, reliable and affordable wholesale energy."

The electricity and associated renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the facility are being sold under two separate power purchase agreements with General Mills and General Motors. Both companies have the option to keep or sell the associated RECs.

"Investing in Texas wind energy is key to our goal of meeting or matching 100 percent of our global electricity needs with renewable energy by 2050," said General Motors Global Manager for Renewable Energy Rob Threlkeld. "The 50 MW will meet the electricity needs of 16 of our U.S. facilities, including business offices in Fort Worth and Austin, and the Arlington Assembly complex in Texas."

"As we are seeing an increase in renewable energy adoption in the U.S., we saw an opportunity for our commerce to support and enable the greening of the grid," said General Mills EVP and Chief Supply Chain Officer John Church. "We see the potential for wind energy to have a positive environmental impact. Cactus Flats is one of many initiatives we have underway to get us closer to reaching our climate commitment."

Cactus Flats consists of 43 wind turbines manufactured by Vestas, which is jointly maintaining and operating the facility with Southern Power. Southern Power is also performing the balance of plant operations of the facility.

Southern Power acquired the facility in July 2017 from Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES) and oversaw all construction activity on site. RES served as the developer and constructor of the site, which created 250 peak construction jobs.

This project aligns with Southern Power's business strategy of acquiring and developing projects covered by long-term contracts with counterparties with strong credit support.

Cactus Flats is Southern Power's fifth wind project in the state of Texas. The company's wind portfolio consists of more than 1,600 MW and is a part of the company's 3,000-MW renewable fleet, which consists of 39 solar, wind and biomass facilities operating or under construction.

About Southern Power

Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider meeting the electricity needs of municipalities, electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities and other energy customers. Southern Power and its subsidiaries own 49 facilities operating or under development in 11 states with more than 12,300 MW of generating capacity in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas.

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is nationally recognized as a leading energy company, with 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017. We operate nearly 200,000 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines and more than 80,000 miles of natural gas pipeline as of December 31, 2017. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in four states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers in 11 states across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. We are building the future of energy by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, advanced carbon capture technologies, natural gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity and the No. 1 Company for Progress by DiversityInc and designated as one of America's Best Employers by Forbes magazine. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

SOURCE Southern Power