Duke Energy acquires half interest in Sumitomo’s Mesquite Creek Wind Project serving Mars Inc.
NORTH CAROLINA – Duke Energy Renewables has acquired a 50-% stake in Mesquite Creek Wind, a 211-megawatt (MW) wind power project near Lamesa, Texas, through its joint venture partnership with Sumitomo Corp. of Americas.
The acquisition increases Duke Energy Renewables’ Texas wind capacity to more than 1,200 MW.
Global food manufacturer Mars Inc., best known for its candy products, is purchasing the power and associated renewable energy credits from the wind farm for a 20-year period. The facility began operations in April of this year.
“Mars is an industry leader in using sustainable business practices to meet its customers’ needs,” said Greg Wolf, president of Duke Energy’s Commercial Portfolio. “We’re proud to partner with Sumitomo to provide emissions-free wind energy to Mars and help them achieve their goal of carbon neutral operations by 2040.”
Mesquite Creek Wind consists of 118 1.7 MW GE wind turbines, enough to provide electricity for Mars’ entire U.S. operations comprised of 70 sites, including 37 factories. The energy produced is enough to make 13 billion SNICKERS® bars or 188 billion sticks of ORBIT® gum.
“Mesquite Creek Wind has been a landmark project for our company as the sixth renewable energy investment in the U.S.,” said Teruyuki Miyazaki, SVP and GM of Environment and Infrastructure Group, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas. “Having been involved in the financing and management of this project through its development, build-out and completion, we are very pleased to have Duke Energy Renewables share in ownership of the project and look forward to strengthening our partnership.”
The wind farm is located in Dawson and Borden counties, about eight miles from Lamesa.
Duke Energy Renewables’ projects under operation in Texas:
Sweetwater Windpower Project, Nolan County, 283 MW (of 585 MW total)
Ocotillo Windpower Project, Howard County, 59 MW
Notrees Windpower Project, Ector & Winkler counties, 153 MW
Blue Wing Solar Power Project, San Antonio,14 MW
Notrees Battery Storage Project, Winkler County, 36 MW
Los Vientos I Windpower Project, Willacy County, 200 MW
Los Vientos II Windpower Project, Willacy County, 202 MW
Los Vientos III Windpower Project, Starr County, 200 MW
Mesquite Creek Wind Project, Borden & Dawson counties, 106 MW (of 211 MW total)
Duke Energy and Sumitomo share ownership of the 131-MW Cimarron II and 168-MW Ironwood Wind Power Projects in Kansas, which began operating in 2012.