Greentech Lead U.S: Juhl Wind, a provider of
community wind power, has formed a joint venture with Boulder,
Colorado-based 8030 Companies to acquire existing wind farms and other clean
energy assets across the United States and Canada.
The joint venture has conducted preliminary discussions
with targeted owners of existing wind farms in the upper Midwest and is now
expanding its scope across North America.
The joint venture operates under the Juhl Wind umbrella
and is particularly focused on wind farm assets approaching its 10th year of
operation, when the Production Tax Credit (PTC) is about to expire and when
equipment may require upgrades and a level of operating care that may not be
available at the local level or by a large, conglomerate, absentee
owner.
Juhl also looks to acquire or become a partner on any
projects where a local owner may be facing a “flip” and may prefer to
have a partner, like Juhl, who understands the unique issues facing smaller
wind farm assets
“We are excited to announce our joint venture with
8030 and to show the wind industry how we are uniquely qualified to partner
with and/or acquire existing wind farms across North America,”
said John Mitola, president of Juhl Wind. “We are
targeting projects that strongly align with our core capabilities in the market
– wind farms under 100 megawatts (“MWs”).
Juhl Wind is one of the few companies outside of
utility-based conglomerates that maintains operations in every aspect of the
clean energy industry — including ownership, full-scale operations,
maintenance, engineering, development and financing.
“8030 has worked with Juhl since late
2011. Juhl’s experience, talent and knowledge in the wind
and clean energy space uniquely positions them to provide a significant value
proposition to clean energy project owners facing post-warranty and second half
operational challenges,” said John Brown, president of 8030
Companies.
“Juhl brings the operating expertise normally found
in big companies to mid and smaller-scale projects, but in a way that embraces
their ‘Community Wind’ and ‘Community Scale’ background and
values. For existing owners of wind farms and clean energy
facilities under 100 MWs with an operating history of six or more years,
partnering with Juhl provides the risk protection and financial certainty asset
owners expect as their equipment moves into the second half of its projected
useful life,” Brown added.