Residents and Dignitaries Join GDF SUEZ to Celebrate the Grand Opening of the Caribou Wind Park in New Brunswick

BATHURST, New Brunswick, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 150 community leaders, business executives, and government officials today joined GDF SUEZ in Bathurst, New Brunswick, to mark the grand opening of the Caribou Wind Park, the largest wind farm in the province.

The Caribou Wind Park is home to 33 turbines capable of producing 99 MW of electricity—enough to power more than 19,000 households each day. The wind farm is supplying clean, renewable electricity to homes and businesses throughout the province through a 20-year power purchase agreement with New Brunswick Power Distribution and Customer Service Corporation.

Speaking before the assembled guests at today's ribbon-cutting ceremony, Member of Parliament Tilly O'Neill-Gordon spoke about the project's partnership with Natural Resources Canada:  

"The Government of Canada's support for the Caribou Wind Park further demonstrates our actions to increase the supply of clean, renewable energy for Canadians," said Ms. O'Neill-Gordon. "Projects like this encourage clean energy innovation and help to create high-quality jobs and a sustainable energy source for Atlantic Canadians."

"Renewable sources are a cornerstone of our government's approach to energy," said New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham. "We are adding nearly 100 megawatts of wind-generated electricity to our grid today. This is good news for our environment, for the growth of our energy hub, and for our economy."

New Brunswick Energy Minister Jack Keir stated: "New Brunswick is home to a world class wind resource, and I couldn't be happier to join GDF SUEZ today to celebrate the grand opening of the Caribou Wind Park. We are transforming the province, and our economy, and the energy sector is a key player in achieving this. GDF SUEZ has been a great partner in building our renewable energy agenda, an important foundation of the New Brunswick Energy Hub."

"The official opening of the Caribou Wind Park is exciting for us," said Gaetan Thomas, President and CEO of NB Power. "Ensuring sustainable energy as we meet the needs of today and also plan for the futures of our children and grandchildren is very important. We cannot underscore that enough! Renewable energy is an important component of our sustainability, and it moves us closer to meeting our commitments to our customers."

Paul Cavicchi, Executive Vice President of GDF SUEZ's Business Development group in North America, added, "We're honored to be able to celebrate this occasion with so many distinguished guests from the community and government, and equally important, with the local contractors who worked so hard with us to complete this magnificent wind facility. We want to thank you for your support. We are proud to be your neighbor. And we look forward to contributing renewable power to the region for many years to come."

The Caribou Wind Park represents an aggregate investment of $200 million, which includes about $40 million spent in the provincial economy for goods and services. Approximately 240 construction jobs were created during the building of the project, and 12 people are now 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 509 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 power, cogeneration, steam, and chilled-water facilities, including those in construction, representing a capacity of 8,000 MW of electricity generation, 6.0 million pounds per hour of steam, and 4 tons per hour of chilled water. Renewable fuels—wind, hydro, and biomass—power 23 of the facilities in the portfolio, two of which are among the largest wind farms in eastern Canada. The company's natural gas assets include an LNG receiving terminal in Everett, Massachusetts, which currently meets approximately 20 percent of New England's annual gas demand; an offshore LNG import facility off the coast of Massachusetts; and natural gas distribution networks and pipelines in Mexico that serve nearly 400,000 customers.

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

SOURCE GDF SUEZ Energy North America