GODERICH, ON, Mar 3, 2006 -- Canada NewsWire

 

EPCOR's Kingsbridge I Wind Power Project recently reached a milestone when two completed turbines generated electricity to Ontario's electrical grid system for the first time. To date, six Kingsbridge I turbines are online and producing power.

Twenty-one of 22 turbines have now been erected in the 40 megawatt project. Completion and energization of additional turbines will continue through the upcoming weeks, as construction continues on the project that is located in the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh.

"This is a milestone in our commitment to delivering an environmentally responsible power supply for Ontarians and Canadians," said Paul McMillan, Senior Vice President, EPCOR Ontario. "We especially appreciate the community's support as we work towards the completion of Kingsbridge I and on getting Kingsbridge II started."

EPCOR remains on-track to meet its commitment to the provincial government to have Kingsbridge I running by the end of the second quarter of 2006.

Kingsbridge I will be followed by Kingsbridge II. In November 2005, EPCOR entered into a Power Purchase Agreement for the sale of power from the 160 megawatt Kingsbridge II Wind Power Project with the Ontario Power Authority. Kingsbridge II will consist of up to 70 wind turbines and will be constructed north of Kingsbridge I in the township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh.

Kingsbridge I and II will be equivalent to 29 per cent of existing Canadian wind power capacity. As of January 2006, Canada had a total installed wind power capacity of 683 MW.

EPCOR Utilities Inc. is one of Canada's top providers of power and water. We provide energy and energy-related services and products and supply power and water solutions to customers in Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Drawing on over 100 years of experience, EPCOR builds, owns and operates power plants, electrical transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities and infrastructure.

EPCOR has been named one of Canada's Top 100 employers for six consecutive years, and was the 2004 Overall Winner of the Conference Board of Canada/Spencer Stuart National Award in Governance. EPCOR is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. EPCOR's web site is www.epcor.ca .

SOURCE: EPCOR Utilities Inc.

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