NEWS RELEASE - April 24, 2006

National Ranking for Local Wind Farm

Sweetwater, Texas (April 24, 2006) – The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recently released its annual industry rankings of wind energy development in the United States. The rankings include the leading states for wind energy development, the suppliers of wind energy turbines, and owners and purchasers of wind energy. Rankings also provide a useful measure of the size and breadth of the American wind energy industry.

Texas ranked second in the nation as the state with the most wind energy installed by capacity. A turbine’s generating potential is measured in kilowatts (KW) or megawatts (MW). Texas produces 1,995 MW, while California produces 2,150 MW. Texas is predicted to overtake the first place ranking during 2006.

Local wind farm, Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center, ranked as the third largest wind farm operating in the United States. This is the first year the wind farm has received a national ranking from AWEA. The wind farm produces 210 MW annually. Located outside Sweetwater, Texas, the wind farm is visible from Interstate 20. AWEA considers a project to be a wind farm if it is build and owned by the same company, and is geographically contiguous. Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center is part of FPL Energy, ranked by AWEA as the largest owner of wind energy facilities in the United States.

“Wind continues to be one of the fastest growing energy sources in the nation as well as the world,” states Mike Hatley, executive director of Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development (S.E.E.D.) “This region, which currently produces more than 25% of wind energy for the nation, is an excellent resource for wind industry leaders who want to take advantage of a plentiful, low cost resource of power.”

“Our region is on the cutting edge of this booming industry,” Hatley explained. “Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center is an excellent business partner, providing a much needed service as well as making a large economical impact in our local community through their tax base and providing high quality jobs for our residents.”

The Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development Incorporated (S.E.E.D.) mission is to facilitate a transitional move to this forward-thinking area. S.E.E.D is prepared for the challenge of maintaining consistent economic growth, including the creation and retention of jobs in Sweetwater. As a 4A organization, S.E.E.D. is focused on providing businesses the best opportunity for the growth, thereby ensuring consistent economic growth for this area.

AWEA is the national trade association for the U.S. wind energy industry. The association’s membership includes turbine manufacturers, wind project developers, utilities, academicians, and interested individuals. More information on wind energy is available at the AWEA web site: www.awea.org.

810 E. Broadway
P.O. Box 785
Sweetwater, Texas 79556
phone: 800.658.6757
fax: 325.235.1026

Ken Becker
Executive Director
ken@sweetwatertexas.net