Leeward Renewable Energy Partners with Siemens Gamesa on Repowering of Mendota Hills Wind Farm

Siemens Gamesa selected to bring modern technology to 15-year-old site

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC (“Leeward”) today announced that work will
soon commence to repower the company’s 15-year-old Mendota Hills Wind
Farm (“Mendota”) in Lee County, Illinois. Leeward selected Siemens
Gamesa to supply 29 of its SG 2.6-126 wind turbines, which will replace
the existing 63 units of legacy Gamesa turbines. Total capacity will
increase from roughly 50 MW to 76 MW.

Mendota has been in operation since 2003, making it Illinois’ first
utility-scale wind farm. The full-scale repowering entails removing all
existing wind turbine generators and replacing with new equipment to
maximize the efficiency, performance and extend the lifespan of the wind
farm. Upon completion, Mendota will operate with fewer turbines, but
overall annual energy production is expected to increase three-fold from
current facility output.

“Mendota Hills is Leeward’s oldest operating wind farm in our
portfolio,” said Greg Wolf, Leeward Renewable Energy CEO. “This
repowering elevates a premier site that will benefit our customers and
Lee County. We are pleased to join forces with Siemens Gamesa on the
first of what we hope to be many such initiatives.”

“Mendota Hills is Siemens Gamesa’s eighth project with Leeward, with
joint projects spanning across four states and totalling over 400 MW,
and is the company’s first full-scale repowering in the U.S.,” said José
Antonio Miranda, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, CEO Onshore Americas.
“We look forward to revitalizing an aging wind farm with the
implementation of advanced technology and partnering with Leeward on
future projects.”

The project commences in March of 2018 and is scheduled for completion
in December of 2018. Siemens Gamesa will continue to provide operations
and maintenance for the Mendota site.

The project is expected to generate 115 full time construction jobs
during the repowering process. Additionally, it provides the opportunity
for permanent local jobs as well as a subcontractor base to maintain the
project. The repowered project is expected to double its contribution to
Lee County in the first year in the form of property tax payments and
triple its contribution throughout the lifespan of the repowered project.

About Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC

Dallas-based Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC is a growth-oriented limited
liability company formed to own, operate, develop and acquire a
diversified portfolio of renewable energy assets. Leeward maintains
ownership and operating interests in 19 wind farms comprising 1,720
megawatts across the United States. For more information about Leeward
Renewable Energy, LLC, visit www.leewardenergy.com.

About Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy in the Americas

Siemens Gamesa is a leading provider of wind power products and
solutions to customers around the globe. The company has installed
products and technology in more than 90 countries, with a total
installed base of close to 85 GW. Siemens Gamesa offers one of the
industry’s broadest product portfolios, with both offshore and onshore
technology as well as industry-leading service solutions, helping to
make clean energy more affordable and reliable. The united company was
created in 2017. Previously, Siemens Wind Power’s history in the wind
industry extends back to the early 1980s, and Gamesa’s to 1994. Further
information is available at: www.siemensgamesa.com.
Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/SiemensGamesa.

Contacts

For Leeward:
Sard Verbinnen & Co.
Kelly Kimberly,
+1 832-680-5120
[email protected]
or
For
Siemens Gamesa:
Kaile Gurney, +1 407-451-3656
[email protected]