Appalachian Power, NextEra Energy Resources commission Bluff Point Wind Energy Center

Executives from NextEra Energy Resources, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, and American Electric Power (AEP) recently joined with state and local leaders and landowners to celebrate the commissioning of the Bluff Point Wind Energy Center in rural Portland, Indiana.

The Bluff Point Wind Energy Center includes 57 GE wind turbines that together have a capacity of 120 megawatts (MW). The energy will serve customers of Appalachian Power, an affiliate of AEP. NextEra Energy Resources built and will own and operate the project.

“AEP and Appalachian Power are pleased to partner with NextEra Energy Resources on this beneficial project that helps modernize and diversify the power generation fleet and provides low-cost, clean energy to customers,” said Marc Lewis, vice president of regulatory and external affairs for Indiana Michigan Power, an AEP company.

The energy center creating approximately 200 jobs during this year’s construction phase as well as five full-time jobs once it enters operation in October. The project is predicted to provide approximately $30 million in new tax revenue to the county governments over its first 30 years of operations and approximately $21 million in payments to local landowners.

“On behalf of Governor Holcomb, I am very pleased to help commission this exciting project that represents a $200 million investment in our state,” Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch said. “It has created good jobs for Hoosiers and an economic uplift for the region, as well as low-cost, clean energy, which is a product we can all be proud of.”