NV Energy and RES Americas Moving Forward with Wind Energy Project

NV Energy (NYSE:NVE) and Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Americas) are moving forward with development of the China Mountain 200-megawatt (MW) wind energy project in northeastern Nevada and southern Idaho. Earlier this year the companies finalized a joint development agreement and NV Energy recently closed on its purchase of a 50% interest in the project development which was contemplated under the agreement.

The China Mountain project is proposed for a location at the Nevada/Idaho border on a combination of federal, state and private lands. Construction of the project to serve NV Energy’s electric customers would be conditioned on grants of rights-of-way (ROW) by respective landowners and approval by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada. Consideration of ROW applications for federal lands includes analysis of the environmental impacts of a proposed project.

"Tapping into the wind resources in Nevada fits well within NV Energy’s strategy of being the premier energy supplier in Nevada for Nevadans,” said Michael Yackira, NV Energy President and CEO. "We will continue to expand our leadership position in renewable energy by investing in and developing projects to provide the most affordable and clean energy to our customers.”

The project, which could eventually be expanded to 425 MW, will use state-of-the-art large-scale wind turbines to produce electricity for delivery to a nearby NV Energy 345 kV transmission line. The wind resource at the project site is particularly strong relative to that at most other potential wind project sites in Nevada, and the wind turbines installed on the project site will not produce any conflicts with military airspace activities.

Craig Mataczynski, president of RES Americas, said, "RES Americas is looking forward to working with NV Energy to help meet their energy goals. RES Americas' national experience in design and construction of wind projects and NV Energy's long-time relationship to the community will work to bring renewable energy to the forefront in Nevada.”

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is underway to identify and analyze the potential environmental impacts of the project on federal lands. The review is estimated to be completed in late 2010. After completion of the NEPA analysis, the BLM will issue a decision on whether or not to grant a ROW for the project. Wildlife studies will be completed as part of the review and will determine appropriate measures to avoid or mitigate impacts to wildlife and habitat. These studies will include a comprehensive two-year analysis focusing on sage-grouse, which is a species of concern identified in the proposed project area.

This is one of several wind energy projects that NV Energy is working to develop. The company also is performing wind energy studies in Clark County and other northern counties in Nevada.

"This is the first of several projects that we think will have a significant effect on Nevada’s renewable energy future,” said Tom Fair, NV Energy executive, renewable energy. "We have been working over the last two years to advance wind energy development in Nevada to a point where we feel that real projects will begin to get built and contribute to our portfolio.”

Fair added, "Working closely with RES Americas, one of the industry leaders and most experienced wind developers, has allowed us to take that next step towards capturing wind energy for Nevada.”

In addition to ongoing efforts such as this one where NV Energy identifies and targets renewable investment opportunities, the Company recently issued a notice to proceed with engineering, procurement and construction of its first utility-owned renewable energy project, a recovered energy facility in southern Clark County, and is in the process of evaluating a number of proposals for long-term contracts from renewable energy project developers.

ABOUT NV ENERGY – Headquartered in Nevada, NV Energy, Inc. is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, are doing business as NV Energy. Serving a 54,500-square-mile service territory that stretches north to south from Elko to Laughlin, NV Energy provides a wide range of energy services and products to approximately 2.4 million citizens of Nevada as well as approximately 40 million tourists annually.

ABOUT RES AMERICAS – Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Americas) is a fully-integrated wind energy company that develops, constructs, owns and operates wind projects across the United States and Canada. By the end of 2008, RES Americas will have constructed more than 3,400 MW and has over 15,000 MW in development. It has developed or constructed more than 12% of the operating wind projects nationwide, and developed or constructed 20% of the operating wind projects completed in the US in 2007.

RES Americas’ corporate office is located in Denver, CO with regional offices located in Austin, Texas, Portland, OR, Minneapolis, MN, and Montreal, Quebec, Canada. RES Americas continues to seek new locations for wind projects as well as opportunities to participate in other forms of renewable energy. For more information, please visit www.res-americas.com.