Airtricity is forming a joint venture with Ridgeline Energy, a renewable energy developer active in the Pacific Northwest. The two firms will develop wind energy projects using Ridgeline's land bank.
The joint company will be known as Ridgeline Airtricity Ltd and, according to Airtricity managing director, Mr Eddie O'Connor, will be a 50:50 partnership. He said Ridgeline had land and the local knowledge, while Airtricity had experience and technical expertise.
Four sites will be used for the wind farms - one in Utah and the others in Idaho. The companies aim to sign a power purchase agreement with a major utility within the next six months.
The next few months will be spent getting planning permission and grid connections. Mr O'Connor said the companies aimed to start construction of the first 150 megawatt project next year.
"The deal will see the companies look to develop onshore sites in the 150-200 megawatt range, opportunities that are not available onshore in most European markets. The location and meterological conditions are ideal in this area," said Mr O'Connor.
Ridgeline was set up in 2001 and has focused on developing onshore wind energy projects.
Airtricity, meanwhile, has appointed Mr Paul Jensen as its development manager for the Midwest region of the US. Mr Jensen has spent 24 years in the wind energy industry. He will be based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Airtricity is currently developing several projects in the Republic. One of the biggest is the Arklow Bank project off the coast of Co Wicklow. Other Airtricity windfarms are operating in Cavan, Sligo and Donegal.
