Largest Wind Project in Arizona to Generate 238 MW of Clean Energy in
Phase One
ARLINGTON, Va., June 1, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) today announced the
start of commercial operations for phase one of the Chevelon Butte
wind farm. The project is located on the Chevelon Butte Ranch in
Coconino and Navajo Counties, Arizona. AES' Chevelon Butte project is
expected to produce a total of 454 MW of wind energy once both
phases are fully operational next year. This first phase of the
project will bring 238 MW of clean energy online with the remaining
216 MW expected to achieve commercial operations in 2024.
"This landmark project will deliver cost competitive renewable
energy to Arizona, while operating
on one of the oldest working cattle ranches in the state," said
Bernerd Da Santos, AES' EVP, COO,
and President, Renewables. "Once both phases are complete, Chevelon
Butte will be Arizona's largest
wind energy project and the first wind farm built in Northern Arizona in nearly a decade. Achieving
this milestone together with our landowner, local community
partners, Coconino and
Navajo County leaders,
Arizona state agencies and our
customer, APS, has ensured that this project will produce clean
energy for decades to come, right alongside Arizona's ranching industry."
"APS is Arizona's leader in
clean energy and we're making progress to add more renewable energy
resources, while maintaining a reliable and affordable electrical
system," said Justin Joiner, APS
Vice President of Resource Management. "The Chevelon Butte wind
facility will add more wind energy to our balanced and diverse
energy portfolio, helping us advance our 51% clean resource
portfolio on the road to delivering 100% clean energy to our
customers by 2050."
The wind farm will be compatible with existing land uses,
enabling the landowner family and Arizona State Land Department to
continue the more than a century-long tradition of raising
livestock and stewardship of this property. All lease payments to
the State Land Department will directly fund Arizona public schools, universities and other
in-state beneficiaries. In close coordination with regulators and
permitting authorities, AES also incorporated unique design
features to avoid sensitive environmental resources and preserve
Northern Arizona's internationally
recognized dark sky characteristics by integrating a
radar-activated lighting system that enables the federally required
turbine lights to turn on only when low-flying aircraft are in the
vicinity.
"The Chevelon Butte wind farm is an excellent example of AES'
commitment to sustainable clean energy development," said
Woody Rubin, Chief Development
Officer, AES Clean Energy. "We have carefully designed this
large-scale project to feature advanced technology and deliver
positive economic and environmental outcomes to Arizona, and Coconino and Navajo counties."
The project will use the most advanced wind energy technology
deployed to-date and will include a total of 105 wind turbines at
full buildout. Once both phases are complete, AES' Chevelon Butte
wind facility is expected to generate enough electricity to power
110,000 homes annually.
About AES
The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 500 global energy
company accelerating the future of energy. Together with our many
stakeholders, we're improving lives by delivering the greener,
smarter energy solutions the world needs. Our diverse workforce is
committed to continuous innovation and operational excellence,
while partnering with our customers on their strategic energy
transitions and continuing to meet their energy needs today. For
more information, visit www.aes.com.
Safe Harbor Disclosure
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but
are not limited to, those related to future earnings, growth and
financial and operating performance. Forward-looking statements are
not intended to be a guarantee of future results, but instead
constitute AES' current expectations based on reasonable
assumptions. Forecasted financial information is based on certain
material assumptions. These assumptions include, but are not
limited to, our expectations regarding accurate projections of
future interest rates, commodity price and foreign currency
pricing, continued normal levels of operating performance and
electricity volume at our distribution companies and operational
performance at our generation businesses consistent with historical
levels, as well as the execution of PPAs, conversion of our backlog
and growth investments at normalized investment levels, rates of
return consistent with prior experience and the COVID-19
pandemic.
Actual results could differ materially from those projected in
our forward-looking statements due to risks, uncertainties and
other factors. Important factors that could affect actual results
are discussed in AES' filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"), including, but not limited to, the risks
discussed under Item 1A: "Risk Factors" and Item 7: "Management's
Discussion & Analysis" in AES' 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K
and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Readers are
encouraged to read AES' filings to learn more about the risk
factors associated with AES' business. AES undertakes no obligation
to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except where
required by law.
Any Stockholder who desires a copy of the Company's 2022 Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed March 1,
2023 with the SEC may obtain a copy (excluding the exhibits
thereto) without charge by addressing a request to the Office of
the Corporate Secretary, The AES Corporation, 4300 Wilson
Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia
22203. Exhibits also may be requested, but a charge equal to the
reproduction cost thereof will be made. A copy of the Annual Report
on Form 10-K may be obtained by visiting the Company's website at
www.aes.com.
Website Disclosure
AES uses its website, including its quarterly updates, as
channels of distribution of Company information. The information
AES posts through these channels may be deemed material.
Accordingly, investors should monitor our website, in addition to
following AES' press releases, quarterly SEC filings and public
conference calls and webcasts. In addition, you may automatically
receive e-mail alerts and other information about AES when you
enroll your e-mail address by visiting the "Subscribe to Alerts"
page of AES' Investors website. The contents of AES' website,
including its quarterly updates, are not, however, incorporated by
reference into this release.
Investor Contact: Susan Harcourt 703-682-1204,
susan.harcourt@aes.com
Media Contact: Stephanie Cathcart 571-294-6824,
stephanie.cathcart@aes.com
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SOURCE AES CORP.