TransAlta adds new wind in Gaspe

GASPE, QUEBEC - TransAlta Corp, Canada's biggest publicly owned electricity producer, expanded its wind portfolio in Quebec by adding a $205 million wind project.

The 66 megawatt MW New Richmond wind project, which is expected to start operating commercially in the fourth quarter of 2012, will be located on the Gaspe Peninsula.

"The addition of the New Richmond project will increase our wind portfolio to 1,139 MW," Chief Executive Steve Snyder said in a statement.

Once completed, the facility will produce enough energy to power about 10,500 Quebec homes and is expected to generate about 100 jobs during the development and construction phases.

Last December, TransAlta added two wind facilities in Alberta and New Brunswick, ahead of schedule.

The company operates more than a third of Canada's installed 3,549 MW wind capacity.