Pilot Hill Wind Project: Microsoft’s largest investment in wind energy, powering Chicago datacenters

SAN DIEGO—(BUSINESS WIRE) –July 15, 2014—EDF Renewable Energy (EDF RE) today announced the company has secured a 96 percent stake in the 175 megawatt (MW) Pilot Hill Wind Project (formerly known as K4) from Orion Energy Group LLC (Orion) and Vision Energy LLC. The project benefits from a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Microsoft Corporation.
 
Pilot Hill Wind Project, located 60 miles southwest of Chicago, Illinois, in Kankakee and Iroquois counties, will consist of wind turbines supplied by General Electric (GE) and Vestas. The wind project is situated on the same electric grid that powers Microsoft’s Chicago area datacenter. Physical construction on site is to commence shortly with commercial operation anticipated during the first quarter of 2015.
 
“Orion’s partnership with Microsoft and EDF Renewable Energy is a tremendous step forward for the entire project team that has worked tirelessly to make the first phase of the Pilot Hill Wind project a reality,” said Ryan McGraw, President of Orion Energy Group LLC. “On behalf of Orion and our development partner Vision Energy LLC, I would especially like to thank our landowners and local officials in Kankakee and Iroquois counties, without whom this project would not be the success that it is.”
 
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