20 MW: 8 Liberty 2.5 MW Wind Turbines

Completed earlier this year, the 20 megawatt (MW) Steel Winds Project was the first to feature Clipper's new 2.5 MW Liberty wind turbines. Manufactured in late 2006 at Clipper's new 330,000 sq. ft. facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Project's eight Liberty wind turbines were shipped to the project site in early 2007, constructed, and placed on line in April 2007.

The Steel Winds project is located outside of Buffalo, New York, in Lackawana, a suburb associated with steel production for more than 100 years. Sited on the bank of Lake Erie, Steel Winds is a redevelopment of a 1,600-acre plot of land long occupied by one of the world's largest steel production sites. The ground that the turbines are installed on is composed of steel slag, a byproduct of the former industrial operations which, until now, has hindered redevelopment opportunities for the site.

"We're delighted to feature some of our first Liberty wind turbines as a part of this milestone wind energy project" said James G.P. Dehlsen, Clipper's Chairman and CEO. "Built in America's heartland, the turbines will be helping to restore beauty and economic development to the local area as they bring new clean, sustainable energy to the people of New York."

Steel Winds uses the old steel mill's roads and offsite transmission lines, negating the need for new roads and transmission construction and providing an efficient and environmentally compatible installation.

Developed, built and owned by UPC Wind and BQ Energy to help bring clean, sustainable energy to western New York, the project's power is being sold into the NYS ISO grid for sale to retail customers.

Local supporters of the project are hailing the new wind project as an environmentally friendly and smart use of an old steel manufacturing site.

"The Bethlehem Steel site is perfect for it," said Walter Simpson, director of the University at Buffalo's Green Office in support of the wind farm. "I think it's going to do wonders for Buffalo's image to have a state-of-the-art wind farm in sight of downtown Buffalo."

The University is currently one of New York's largest purchasers of wind-electricity.

The mayor of Lackawanna is also very supportive of the project and believes it will positively impact the community by positioning Lackawanna as a leader in supporting the growth of clean, sustainable and secure energy generation, and by promoting the area as a sightseeing destination.

"People will come from far and near to look at these to marvel at them," Mayor Norman Polanski said.

The project is expected to produce enough wind-generated electricity to power about 6,000 average American homes each year. For more information, refer to Clipper's announcements dated July 24, 2006, and June 5, 2007.