Renewable Energy Systems (RES), a leader in the development, construction, and operation of wind, solar, transmission, and energy storage projects in the Americas, is pleased to announce that construction has begun on the Hog Creek Wind Project located in Hardin County, OH. The project, owned by EDP Renewables (EDPR), is on schedule to be operational before the end of 2017 and will provide enough clean electricity to power approximately 19,000 Ohio homes. RES completed the project development and transferred Hog Creek wind project ownership to EDPR in 2017.

Hog Creek Wind Project will be a 66-MW project comprised of 30 Vestas V110 2.2-MW turbines. The National Renewables Cooperative Organization (NRCO) facilitated the 20-year power purchase agreement with Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO). The project is expected to create 235 jobs during the peak of construction and up to seven permanent jobs once operational.

"RES is grateful to the surrounding community for being supportive during the development cycle for this project. That patience has paid off and now Hog Creek Wind Project will bring significant benefits to the region," stated Shalini Ramanathan, VP Origination, RES in the Americas. "RES is pleased to construct our third project for EDP Renewables, a tremendous partner in bringing the benefits of renewable energy to communities across North America."

"The Hog Creek Wind Project is a great addition to EDP Renewables' growing wind portfolio in Ohio," said Ryan Brown, EDP Renewables North America Executive Vice President - Eastern Region and Canada.  "Moreover, EDP Renewables is eager to make additional investments in Ohio to provide more economic benefits to the state's residents and its communities.  EDP Renewables applauds those who are working to ease Ohio's onerous siting regulations, which, if amended, would encourage more wind development in the state."

"Once again, NRCO has assisted SMECO with procuring wind energy to help the cooperative meet state requirements. As we add more and more renewable energy to our power portfolio, we demonstrate our commitment to environmental stewardship," said Jeff Shaw, SMECO Vice President of Distributed Energy and Sustainability.

With the completion of the n, EDPR will expand its operational capacity to more than 260 MW in the state of Ohio. The project will have a significant impact on the region in providing a number of economic benefits to its surrounding communities. Hog Creek Wind Project will make property tax payments to Hardin County estimated at $594,000 per year and more than $10 million will be paid to local landowners through the life of the project. And in the community, Hog Creek Wind Project recently donated $20,000 to the Hardin County Historical Museum to upgrade the electrical system in the building. In addition, the project has established an internship program with Ohio State University that is expected to begin in 2018. 

Hog Creek Wind Project is the first wind project that RES has developed or constructed in Ohio. The company has previously developed three innovative energy storage facilities across the state (Clinton, Willey, and Battery Storage of Ohio).  With the addition of the Hog Creek Wind Project, EDP Renewables will now own and operate a total of three wind farms in Ohio.  Others include the 100 MW Timber Road II Wind Farm (operational since 2011) and the 101 MW Amazon Wind Farm US Central (operational since 2016). 

RES | www.res-group.com

EDP Renewables | www.edpr.com

SMECO | www.smeco.coop

NRCO | www.nrco.coop