Algonquin Power & Utilities to sell output from planned 16.5-MW expansion of its existing St. Leon wind farm in Manitoba to Manitoba Hydro under 25-year PPA; construction expected to begin in Q3, commissioning slated for Q1 2012

Rachel Carter

OAKVILLE, Ontario , July 26, 2011 (press release) – Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. ("APUC") (TSX: AQN) today announced the execution of a 25-year power purchase agreement with Manitoba Hydro in respect of a 16.5MW expansion of APUC's existing St. Leon wind energy project located in the Province of Manitoba.

In the first full year of production following commissioning, APUC anticipates generating annual gross revenues of $3.8 million. Rates paid under the power purchase agreement are subject to a partial inflation adjustment that will be applied annually. The expansion will be comprised of 10 Vestas V82-1.65 MW wind turbines, which already have been manufactured and are awaiting shipment to the site from a U.S. storage location. Permitting for the expansion project was completed in 2010 with construction expected to commence in the third quarter of 2011; commissioning of the expansion project is expected to occur in first quarter of 2012 with total forecast capital costs of $29.5 million.

"We are very pleased to announce this next phase in the expansion of our St. Leon Wind Energy facility and our continued involvement with the St. Leon community" commented Ian Robertson, Chief Executive Officer of APUC. "The local support in the town of St. Leon has been tremendous and we look forward to continuing the close-knit relationship we have developed since the original commissioning in 2006. We are pleased with the continuing growth of our wind energy portfolio in the Province of Manitoba and the benefits of its excellent wind regime."

About Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.

Through its distinct operating subsidiaries, APUC owns and operates a diversified portfolio of $1.1 billion of clean renewable electric generation and sustainable utility distribution businesses in North America. Liberty Water Co., APUC's water utility subsidiary, provides regulated water utility services to more than 73,000 customers with a portfolio of 19 water distribution and wastewater treatment utility systems and has entered into agreements to acquire additional utility systems serving 7,400 customers. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Liberty Energy Utilities Co., APUC provides regulated electricity and natural gas distribution services, currently serving more than 47,000 electric customers in the Lake Tahoe, CA area. Pursuant to previously announced agreements, Liberty Energy Utilities Co. is committed to acquiring Granite State Electric Company, a New Hampshire electric distribution company, EnergyNorth Natural Gas Inc., a regulated natural gas distribution utility and certain regulated natural gas distribution assets in Missouri, Illinois and Iowa, which together serve approximately 213,000 customers. Algonquin Power Co. (APCo), APUC's electric generation subsidiary, includes 45 renewable energy facilities and 12 thermal energy facilities representing more than 460 MW of installed capacity. Pursuant to a previously announced agreement APCo will be acquiring a partial interest in an existing 370MW portfolio of New England and New York wind projects and development opportunities representing an additional 1,200MW of wind generation projects. APUC and its operating subsidiaries deliver continuing growth through an expanding pipeline of greenfield and expansion renewable power and clean energy projects, organic growth within its regulated utilities and the pursuit of accretive acquisition opportunities. APUC's common shares and convertible debentures are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN, AQN.DB.A and AQN.DB.B. Visit Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. on the web at www.AlgonquinPowerandUtilities.com and www.sedar.com.

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