AES acquires 612MW New York onshore wind portfolio from Carlyle Group

Global energy company AES Corporation has acquired a 612MW onshore wind portfolio in New York from global investment firm Carlyle.

It bought the portfolio for an undisclosed sum through its acquisition of Carlyle-owned Valcour Wind Energy (Valcour).

AES claimed that the portfolio is responsible for producing about 25% of New York state’s wind-generated electricity.

The 612MW portfolio accounts for about 28% of the 2.1GW of operational onshore wind capacity in New York, according to Windpower Intelligence, the research and data division of Windpower Monthly.

The wind farms are:

• The 100.5MW Clinton project in Clinton county in the north-east corner of the state;
• The 97.5MW Altona project in Clinton county;
• The 81MW Ellenburg project in Clinton county;
• The 126MW Wethersfield project in Wyoming county in the west of the state;
• The 100.5MW Bliss project in Wyoming county;
• And the 106.5MW Chateaugay project in Franklin county in the north of the state.

AES will take over operations and maintenance (O&M) for the projects from Cogentrix Energy. AES stated that the projects represent the largest operating wind platform in New York and play an important role in helping the state meet its commitment to have 70% of its electricity come from renewables by 2030. 

Leo Moreno, president of AES Clean Energy, said: “This wind portfolio complements our 1GW solar pipeline in the state, allowing us to provide custom offerings such as our 24/7 product to realise a carbon-free energy grid. Thanks to the partnership between Carlyle, Cogentrix and Valcour, the Valcour portfolio also offers a strong platform upon which we can continue to build through repowering.”

Carlyle had acquired the New York portfolio from wind developer Noble Environmental Power in 2018, marking its entry into onshore wind.

Carlyle managing director J.B. Oldenburg said: “As Carlyle’s first wind investment, this was a partnership where value creation and driving positive environmental change converged and we are thrilled for AES to build upon that impact. 

“We believe the renewable and sustainable energy sector is at an inflection point and look forward to continuing to be a key contributor to progressing the transition.”