E.ON Climate & Renewables generates electricity on first turbines at 150-MW Pioneer Trail Wind Farm, in Illinois' Ford, Iroquois counties, scheduled to be placed in service by mid-2012

Rachel Carter

PAXTON, Illinois , October 20, 2011 (press release) – E.ON Climate & Renewables generates power at Illinois Wind Farm

E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) North America generated power today on the first turbines on the Pioneer Trail Wind Farm, located in Ford and Iroquois counties, approximately 4 miles east of Paxton.

The project, the first wind energy project in Ford County, expects to be placed in service by mid-2012.

"We are honored to be a part of the local community, and we look forward to providing economic support and renewable, homegrown energy for many years to come," said Steve Trenholm, CEO, EC&R North America, at a ceremony marking the energization of the first turbines on the site. "Wind farms create jobs, and provide an economic shot in the arm to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across America."

Locally, this project projects to spend more than $29 million dollars in local taxes, paying $8 million in local salaries and more than $50 million to landowners. EC&R expects to employ approximately 200 people during construction and establish 8 to 10 permanent positions in Iroquois County.

The turbines were manufactured by General Electric. Construction is being done by White Construction.

The 94 GE 1.6 megawatt turbines on site will provide more than 150 megawatts (MW) of power—enough to provide clean power to more than 45,000 households in Illinois using North American made turbines, blades and towers.

"We appreciate the support this community has given us helping harvest a new source of clean renewable energy from these corn and bean fields," said Trenholm, during the ceremony.

In acknowledgement of that community support, EC&R presented a donation, totaling $15,000, to the local school district and to the community swimming pool.

The operation of this project will mark the 15th operational wind farm in North America for EC&R, giving the company more than 2,000 MW online.

About EC&R

E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) is responsible for the E.ON group's renewable energy and environmental protection activities around the world. Tapping renewable energy sources offers enormous alternatives, both from a business perspective and for the environment. E.ON Climate & Renewables will be investing 2.6 billion euros in renewable energy and environmental protection projects from 2011 - 2013 to expand the share of renewable energy in E.ON's portfolio for the long term. E.ON has thus taken a leading role in developing renewable energy sources worldwide. For more information, please visit www.eon.com/renewables.

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