GE turbines picked for huge U.S. wind farm

NEW YORK, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The United States' largest-ever wind farm will use $1.4 billion worth of turbines built by General Electric Co., the New York company said Thursday.

A total of 338 GE turbines will power Caithness Energy's 845-megawatt Shepherds Flat wind farm on 30 square miles near Arlington in north-central Oregon. GE said on its Web site the alternative energy project has received the majority of the government permits it needs to operate and is ready to move into the construction phase with completion expected by 2012.

"This project underscores our commitment to harness the power of wind to meet present and future energy needs while reducing greenhouse emissions," said Les Gelber, a partner at Caithness Energy. "The Shepherds Flat project will add more renewable energy to the west coast's energy mix and help the region meet its demand for clean energy."

The deal announced Thursday marks the U.S debut and largest single global order of GE's 2.5xl wind turbines, said officials at the company founded by Thomas Edison, the developer of the common incandescent light bulb.

Steve Bolze, president and chief executive officer of GE Power & Water, said the project "highlights our ability to deliver integrated solutions in the clean energy space and it supports our overarching focus to provide first in class technology to our customers."