Airtricity lands contract with Texan energy giant

The Irish renewable energy firm is to supply TXU Wholesale with 125MW of electricity from its Forest Creek wind farm in Texas. TXU Wholesale is a subsidiary of TXU Corp, an energy company that operates throughout North America. But the company’s home turf is Texas, where it is the number one electricity retailer in the market and supplies 2.4 million customers.

Forest Creek is expected to start generating electricity by the end of

2006, and will be the first project to be completed from the $1.5m Airtricity is pumping into the US wind market.

“The growing Texas market indicates there is a consumer demand for renewable energy, and we’re committed to adding renewable energy to our portfolio. We believe fuel diversity is the key to price stability and reliability,” said Mike McCall, chairman and chief executive of TXU Wholesale.

TXU Wholesale is a major player in the burgeoning Texan market for wind, and its contract with Airtricity will add enough renewable power to its energy mix to supply 24,000 homes.

Eddie O’Connor, chief executive of Airtricity, added: “Airtricity is moving steadily ahead with its US development plans and is pleased to reach agreement with such a strong partner in TXU. We are excited this and other projects will help meet the growing demands for more wind power.”

Jess McCabe