EDP Renewables to Provide Salesforce with 80 Megawatts of Wind Energy

HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EDP Renewables, SA (EDPR), through its fully-owned subsidiary EDP Renewables North America LLC (EDPR NA), announces that it has secured an 80 megawatt (MW) 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Salesforce for the energy produced from its Bright Stalk Wind Farm in McLean County, Illinois.  This PPA is a part of the 405 MW announcement EDPR issued on July 3, 2018

The 205 MW Bright Stalk Wind Farm will produce enough clean electricity to annually power more than 71,000 average Illinois homes.  The project will pay up to $2.6 million in local taxes each year as well as millions of dollars to local landowners through the life of the project.  The wind farm will also create hundreds of full-time equivalent jobs during construction (expected to commence next year) and several permanent jobs during the life of the project.  Bright Stalk Wind Farm is anticipated to be fully operational by the end of 2019.

The Bright Stalk Wind Farm will soon be EDP Renewables' third operational wind farm in McLean County.  EDPR also owns and operates the 398 MW Twin Groves I and II Wind Farms that have been operational since 2007 and 2008, respectively.  Through its Twin Groves Wind Farm, EDP Renewables has paid approximately $28.3 million to local governments and $26.1 million to local landowners through 2017.  It is estimated that $126.4 million has also been spent within 50 miles of the wind farm.  The addition of the Bright Stalk Wind Farm will result in additional tax and landowner payments and increased spending at local establishments in and around McLean County.

This PPA is Salesforce's largest to date and further advances the company's commitment to working toward 100 percent renewable energy.  The location of the Bright Stalk Wind Farm is especially important as it is near Salesforce data centers, as well as a growing office hub.

"At Salesforce, we are committed to doing our part to step up to the challenge of climate change – the biggest, most important and most complex challenge humans have ever faced," said Patrick Flynn, vice president of sustainability, Salesforce.  "This agreement is a huge step toward our goal of powering our operations with 100 percent renewable energy by 2022, and we are excited to work with EDP Renewables on this urgent initiative."

"EDP Renewables is proud to partner with Salesforce to help in meeting its commendable commitment of powering its global operations exclusively by renewable energy sources," said João Manso Neto, EDP Renewables CEO.  "This agreement is a major milestone for EDP Renewables and paves the way for our company to expand our presence as a wind industry leader in the state of Illinois."

"EDP Renewables is pleased to construct its third wind farm in McLean County which will total more than 600 MW of EDPR owned and operated projects in the area," said Miguel Prado, EDP Renewables North America CEO.  "McLean County has hosted EDPR's projects for more than a decade, and we look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come."

EDP Renewables is a wind industry leader in the state of Illinois.  To date, EDPR operates 797 MW of wind energy projects in Illinois, representing a capital investment of approximately $1.7 billion in the state.  The addition of the Bright Stalk Wind Farm as well as the Broadlands Wind Farm in Douglas County will further increase EDPR's footprint in Illinois, surpassing 1,200 MW, or 1.2 gigawatt (GW), of operational capacity by the end of next year. 

"By hosting wind farms and solar parks in our state, Illinois meets our energy needs and creates jobs for our residents.  Wind energy is a critical part of the efforts to protect our climate while building our nation's economy," Illinois State Senator Don Harmon said.  "Furthermore, wind energy is a cost-effective energy alternative, generates billions of dollars in Illinois and across the United States, and is safe for the environment.  I'm proud to support wind energy and the dual values of economic development and environmental protection it promotes."

About EDP Renewables

EDP Renewables EDPR is a global leader in the renewable energy sector and the world's fourth-largest wind energy producer. With a sound development pipeline, first class assets and market-leading operating capacity, EDPR has undergone exceptional development in recent years and is currently present in 13 markets (Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, the UK and the US). Energias de Portugal, S.A. ("EDP"), the principal shareholder of EDPR, is a global energy company and a leader in value creation, innovation and sustainability. EDPR has featured on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for ten consecutive years.

For further information, please visit www.edpr.com

About EDP Renewables North America

EDP Renewables North America LLC ("EDPR NA") and its subsidiaries develop, construct, own, and operate wind farms and solar parks throughout North America. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, with 45 wind farms, 5 solar parks, and 13 regional and development offices across North America, EDPR NA has developed more than 6,200 megawatts (MW) and operates more than 5,600 MW of renewable energy projects. EDPR NA is owned by EDP Renováveis, S.A. (EDPR).  For more information, visit www.edprnorthamerica.com.

Blair Matocha
EDP Renewables
713-356-2415
blair.matocha@edpr.com