Duke Energy buying 100 wind turbines from GE

Charlotte, N.C.-based Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) said it plans to expand its wind portfolio with the purchase of 100 wind turbines from Fairfield, Conn.'s General Electric (NYSE: GE).

Financial terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

"Growing our wind power portfolio underscores our commitment to reduce carbon emissions across the United States," said Wouter van Kempen, president of Duke Energy Generation Services, a Duke subsidiary.

Duke said the turbines, capable of generating a total of 150 megawatts, are expected to be in service in the 2009 to 2010 timeframe in the western and southwestern United States.

The company said sites for the wind farms are currently being reviewed.

Earlier this year, Duke acquired the development assets of Tierra Energy, a wind power development company in Austin, Texas (see Duke buys Tierra Energy's wind business).

The purchase included more than 1,000 MW of wind assets under development in the western and southwestern U.S.

Duke said three of the projects in development, a total of approximately 240 MW, are located in Texas and Wyoming and are scheduled to be in commercial operation in late 2008 or early 2009.