RALEIGH, N.C. – Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP (Parker Poe) today announced its role in Iberdrola Renewables, LLC’s development of a 300-megawatt wind farm in northeastern North Carolina. Amazon Web Services, Inc. has teamed with Iberdrola Renewables to contract for the construction and operation of the project. The wind farm, to be named Amazon Wind Farm US East, will span Pasquotank and Perquimans counties. Once completed, this will be the first wind farm in the state and the first large-scale wind farm in the southeastern U.S. Iberdrola Renewables is the second-largest wind energy producer in the U.S.
Parker Poe, led by partner Henry Campen, head of the firm’s Energy practice, assisted Iberdrola Renewables with all aspects of its federal, state and local permitting, real estate matters, tax counsel, economic incentive negotiations and governmental relations issues. The firm dedicated 20 lawyers across five regional offices over a 6-year period to help Iberdrola bring this innovative project to life.
Amazon Wind Farm US East, powered by Iberdrola Renewables at Desert Wind, will be developed in two phases in a 22,000-acre area outside Elizabeth City, in a region local residents refer to as the “Desert” because of its vast, undeveloped character. The initial project is expected to take 18 months to complete (December 2016) and will generate enough electricity annually to power more than 61,000 U.S. homes. More than 250 area construction jobs will be created over this period and the company expects an additional number of permanent jobs will be created to operate and maintain the wind farm.
Parker Poe’s Campen, who has practiced before the state utility commission for more than 25 years, provides project development and permitting advice to developers of wind, solar, and biomass projects. His team has permitted over 2,500 megawatts of renewable energy fueled electrical generation. Campen is a frequent speaker on clean energy issues.
“New wind turbine technology is making wind power a viable energy resource in the southeastern U.S., and this project is solid proof of this new reality,” said Campen. “This new project leverages the region’s unique coastal winds for cleaner energy. The project also offers a tremendous economic boost to a rural area of our state that has not enjoyed the strong economy of some of our metropolitan areas.”
“We value tremendously Henry and his team of legal professionals at Parker Poe,” said Craig Poff, Business Development Director at Iberdrola Renewables. “They have been steadfast partners with our team for six years charting a course for us through the myriad regulatory and legal challenges necessary to reach this point. “
About Parker Poe
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP has more than 200 lawyers in five offices located in major markets across North Carolina and South Carolina. The Firm provides legal counsel to large commercial and public organizations on regulatory, corporate and litigation matters. www.parkerpoe.com.