January 23rd, 2009 · No Comments

From Green Right Now reports

Dominion and BP Wind Energy North America Inc. say they are evaluating wind energy projects in southwestern Virginia.  The potential wind facilities would be the first projects announced since Dominion and BP said in April 2008 that they had entered into an agreement to jointly own, operate and develop wind energy projects in Virginia.

These potential wind farms in Tazewell and Wise counties would be developed by Dominion’s Virginia electric utility subsidiary and BP Wind Energy North America Inc. Both projects would be subject to all applicable local, state and federal permits and approvals.

The exact size of each project and scope of economic benefits have not been determined.

“This is a small but important step for Virginia’s nascent wind industry, an industry whose roots must grow stronger if the state is to achieve its renewable energy goals,” Thomas F. Farrell II, Dominion’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Dominion is committed to increasing renewable generating capacity, and these projects would move us closer to fulfilling that commitment.”

Earlier this month, Dominion’s Virginia electric utility subsidiary and BP Wind Energy purchased about 2,560 acres of land in Tazewell County.

In addition to the joint venture in Virginia, Dominion and BP are partners in 650 megawatts of the 750-megawatt Fowler Ridge Wind Farm in Benton County, Ind.