E.ON Climate & Renewables Opens First Wind Farm Operating in Willacy County, Texas.

E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) North America have celebrated the official opening of the Magic Valley Wind Farm in an onsite ceremony.

The operation of this project marks the 16th operational wind farm in North America for EC&R, giving the company more than 2,000 MW online in the state of Texas alone.

The project, located approximately 5 miles east of Raymondville and the first wind energy project in Willacy County, is powered by 112 Vestas 1.8 megawatt turbines providing more than 200 megawatts (MW) of power--enough to provide clean power to more than 60,000 households in Texas.

"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 dedication. "Wind farms create jobs, and provide an economic shot in the arm to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across America."

Construction was completed by Blattner Energy.

More than 200 people were hired during construction and the project will employ approximately 20 permanent positions in Willacy County on the wind farm.

EC&R has invested more than $4 billion dollars in the U.S. in the last four years, creating more than 4,000 construction jobs and another 200 permanent jobs to keep its wind farms up and running.

Overall, the wind industry has invested more than $60 billion in providing 35 percent of the electric capacity in the U.S. in the last four years and employs more than 75,000 people, including 30,000 in good American jobs in the manufacturing sector from coast to coast.

E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) is responsible for the E.ON group's renewable energy and environmental protection activities around the world. (8/23/2012)

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E.ON Climate & Renewables

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