SaskPower chooses Atco as partner in 150-megawatt wind generating development

CALGARY Sept. 8 - SaskPower has named Atco Power as its partner in a venture to erect between 50 and 150 wind turbines to generate as much as 150 megawatts of electricity.

Monday's announcement did not specify the capital cost of the project or the likely per-kilowatt-hour price of the power the windmills will generate.

"Our leadership in wind power development reflects the government's commitment to a green power portfolio of initiatives to meet the province's electrical needs in the future," stated Premier Lorne Calvert.

"Establishing a joint venture with Atco Power is important to achieving made-in-Saskatchewan solutions that address climate change and grow our economy."

Atco and SaskPower International, the Crown-owned utility's development subsidiary, said the wind power development could commence operation as early as 2004-2005, with all 150 megawatts - enough to power about 64,000 homes - operational by March 2007.

Wind monitoring equipment has been set up at several locations to determine the best sites.

Saskatchewan currently has two wind-power operations with a total capacity of 17.1 megawatts.

Alberta-based Atco Power, a unit of the Atco Group (TSX:ACO.X), owns or operates 5,000 megawatts of generation in Canada, Australia and Britain.

Canadian Press