CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy
Renewables, a commercial business unit of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK),
today announced the commercial operation of the largest windpower
project in its fleet – the 350-megawatt (MW) Frontier Windpower II
project in Kay County,
Okla.
The project is an expansion of the 200-MW Frontier Windpower
project, operational since 2016. Together, Frontier I and II are
generating a total of 550 MW of wind energy – enough to power about
193,000 average-size homes.
AT&T and Ball Corporation have signed 15-year virtual power
purchase agreements (VPPAs) for 160 MW and 161 MW, respectively.
These VPPAs will settle on an as-generated basis tied to Frontier
II's real-time energy output.
"We're pleased to be working with AT&T and Ball Corporation
on the Frontier II project, which is located in an area that has
some of the best wind resources in the country," said Chris Fallon, president of Duke Energy
Renewables. "This project further demonstrates how we can address
the community's need for clean energy resources, while providing
unique sustainability solutions for our customers."
"At AT&T, we believe renewable energy is good for the
planet, for our business, and for the communities we serve," said
Scott Mair, president of AT&T
Network Engineering & Operations. "With more than 1.5 gigawatts
of renewable energy capacity, our portfolio delivers clean
electricity to the grid, helps to create jobs and community
benefits, and supports the transition to a low-carbon economy. This
is an important piece of our journey to reach carbon neutrality
across our global operations by 2035."
"In 2019 Ball Corporation released new climate goals approved by
the Science Based Target Initiative, including a 55% absolute
reduction in our Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by
2030 with a significant portion of that reduction coming from our
global transition to renewable energy, " said Kathleen Pitre, chief commercial officer and
chief sustainability officer of Ball Corporation. "Partnering with
Duke Energy on the Frontier II project is a momentous step in
helping Ball achieve our Science Based Targets, reduce the carbon
footprint of our beverage cans and support our customers'
sustainability goals. As the largest aluminum beverage packaging
manufacturer in the world and a leading corporate buyer of
renewable energy in our industry, the Frontier II project will
contribute to Ball meeting our target to address 100% of our North
American electricity load with renewable energy."
During peak construction, the wind project created approximately
250 jobs. Along with indirect economic benefits that accompany wind
project development, such as increased local spending in the
service and construction industries, Frontier II will also have a
positive economic impact on the local community by providing
significant local tax revenues during assessment years of
commercial operation to the county and local school districts, as
well as meaningful payments to participating landowners.
Nordex Group supplied 74 4.8-MW wind turbines for the site.
Amshore Renewable Energy provided development support for the
project, and Wanzek Construction was the contractor.
The 350-MW Frontier Windpower II project will produce enough
energy to power about 123,000 average homes.
Duke Energy is one of the nation's top renewable energy
providers, and this project supports Duke Energy's plans to double
its enterprise renewable portfolio from 8 GW to 16 GW by the end of
2025.
About Duke Energy Renewables
Duke Energy Renewables, a unit of Duke Energy Corporation,
operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., with
a total electric capacity of nearly 4,000 megawatts of nonregulated
renewable energy. The power is sold to electric utilities, electric
cooperatives, municipalities, and commercial and industrial
customers. The unit also operates energy storage and microgrid
projects. Visit Duke Energy Renewables for more information.
Duke Energy Corporation is one of the nation's top renewable energy
providers, on track to operate or purchase 16,000 megawatts of
renewable energy capacity – nonregulated and
regulated combined – by 2025.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is a Fortune 150 company – and one of
the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. – headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C. It employs 29,000
people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts
through its regulated utilities, in addition to Duke Energy
Renewables' nonregulated capacity.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2020 "World's Most Admired
Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More
information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The
Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets,
photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's
illumination features stories about people, innovations,
community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on
Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
About AT&T Communications
We help family, friends and neighbors connect in meaningful ways
every day. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to mobile video
streaming, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. AT&T
Communications is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). For more
information, please visit us at att.com.
About Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable aluminum
packaging solutions for beverage, personal care and household
products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and
services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and
its subsidiaries employ 21,500 people worldwide and reported 2020
net sales of $11.8 billion. For more
information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on
Facebook or Twitter.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements
This document includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking
statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions. These
forward-looking statements are identified by terms and phrases such
as "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "expect,"
"continue," "should," "could," "may," "plan," "project," "predict,"
"will," "potential," "forecast," "target," "outlook," "guidance,"
and similar expressions. Various factors may cause actual results
to be materially different than the suggested outcomes within
forward-looking statements; accordingly, there is no assurance that
such results will be realized. These risks and uncertainties are
identified and discussed in Duke Energy's most recent Annual Report
on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and available
at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In light of these risks,
uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the
forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a
different extent or at a different time than Duke Energy has
described. Duke Energy expressly disclaims an obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Media contact: Jennifer
Garber
Media line: 800.559.3853
Email: jennifer.garber@Duke-Energy.com
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SOURCE Duke Energy