Mortenson Construction was recently selected by San Diego-based developer enXco, an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company for the construction of the Pacific Wind Project. Located on the south slope of the Tehachapi Mountains in Kern County California, the 8,500 acres project will generate140 megawatts of wind power - enough energy to power approximately 39,000 homes.

Mortenson is responsible for the design and construction of access roads, foundations, erection, overhead and underground electrical collection system, and a 14,400-square-foot O and M facility that will support the Pacific Wind Project as well as other enXco projects slated for development in the area. Construction will begin in December, 2011 and is expected to be complete in August, 2012.

The Pacific Wind Project is the 19th wind power facility that Mortenson has constructed in partnership with enXco. Together the partnership has provided nearly 2 GW of energy throughout the United States. In early October, Mortenson completed construction of enXco's 205.5 megawatt Lakefield Wind Project in southern Minnesota. In Minnesota alone, the enXco - Mortenson partnership has developed and constructed approximately 36 percent of the state's wind energy capacity.

"Our long-established relationship with enXco represents a cohesive partnership that reinforces our commitment to renewable energy though out the United States," said Tim Maag, a vice president and general manager of Mortenson's Renewable Energy Groups.

Since entering the renewable energy market in 1995, Mortenson Construction has become a leading builder of wind power facilities in North America, constructing more than 100 wind projects generating more than 11,000 megawatts of renewable power across the United States and Canada.

With 100 percent of Mortenson's business in the power sector coming from renewable energy, Engineering News-Record ranked Mortenson the 11th largest power contractor in the U.S. for 2010. In addition to wind power, Mortenson's Renewable Energy Groups, also construct facilities that generate solar power, biofuels and hydro-electric power.