Wal-Mart Stores In Texas To Be Powered By Wind

November 20, 2008 8:01 a.m. EST

Austin, TX (AHN) - More than 50 Wal-Mart stores in Texas will receive electricity generated from wind power from one of the nation's largest energy companies.

The partnership between Wal-Mart and Duke Energy is one of the first sales of electricity directly from a specific wind project to a retailer, according to a Duke Energy press release.

Starting in April 2009, 54 of Wal-Mart's 360 stores in Texas will buy electricity from Duke's Notrees Windpower Project, located in Ector and Winkler counties.

The first phase of the project will enter commercial operations in December.

The generation capacity is part of the 500 megawatts of wind power Duke Energy will have on line by the end of this year, according to the press release.

Duke's Ocotillo Windpower Project, located in Howard County, Texas began operating in September.

When completed in 2009, the Notrees project will provide 150 megawatts of electricity.