Sempra Energy, BP Partner In Wind Farm Project

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Sempra Generation, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, said Friday it has become an equal partner with BP Wind Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of BP PLC, in developing a wind farm in Indiana.

The venture will help develop a 200-megawatt Fowler Ridge II Wind Farm on a 17,000-acre site about 90 miles northwest of Indianapolis.

The wind farm is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2010. It will produce enough electricity for roughly 60,000 homes.

The project's entire power output already has been sold under four, long-term 50MW contracts. Three contracts have been signed with units of American Electric Power, and one with Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana for a 20-year period.

Combined with Fowler Ridge I, a 400MW wind farm that began in March 2009, the two projects will make the Midwest's largest wind farm.

Shares of Sempra fell 7 cents to $50.99 in afternoon trading, while shares of BP fell 8 cents to $54.72.