US Wind Energy President To Head NZ Assoc

1 May 2006

American Wind Energy President to head New Zealand Wind Energy Association

The New Zealand Wind Energy Association today announced the appointment of Roby Roberts as the next Chief Executive of the New Zealand Wind Energy Association.

Mr Roberts has spent over 15 years working on energy issues and is the current president of the American Wind Energy Association. For the last four years he has been Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs for PPM Energy in Portland Oregon, a company with over 1500 MW of wind energy in its portfolio.

The Chairman of the New Zealand Wind Energy Association, Murray Kennedy, said the Board was delighted they had been able to appoint Mr Roberts to head the New Zealand Wind Energy Association.

“Mr Roberts brings operational and policy experience in the biggest wind market in the world, to a country which has the best wind profile in the world.

“Mr Robert’s experience will be a major help to the New Zealand sector because wind energy here has only recently become mainstream. The challenge now is to adjust to being a permanent part of the energy mix,” Mr Kennedy said.

Total wind capacity in New Zealand is now 170 MW – enough to power 75,000 homes. A further 70 MW has been consented in the last few months, a further 170 MW is currently awaiting consent and hundreds more MW are being planned.

Mr Kennedy said stable and consistent Government policy in the energy sector was critical to ongoing investment in new generation.

“The Government must make sure its policies include a place for wind energy, because our sector is expected to contribute at least 20% of the supply needed to meet growing demand in this country.

“Wind energy is now in a position where it can compete on every front with any other form of electricity generation. Roby Roberts will help us do just that,” he said.

Mr Roberts will take up his position in early June.

Additional information on Roby Roberts

Roby Roberts: biography

Roby Roberts has spent over 15 years working on energy issues. Some of his energy related experience includes:

- Executive Director of the Renewable Energy Policy Project a national renewable energy research organisation located in Washington, DC;

- Project Manager for Kenetech Windpower, a wind energy development company; and

- Energy Policy Analyst for the Northwest Power Planning Council, a multi-state compact which focuses on the management of the Columbia River hydro system.

Roby serves on a number of wind industry/advocacy boards including:

The American Wind Energy Association

The Renewable Energy Policy Project

The Renewable Northwest Project

Wind on the Wires

The Wind Coalition

The Interwest Energy Alliance

Roby’s most recent role was as the Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs for PPM Energy, Inc., the competitive U.S. subsidiary of ScottishPower.

PPM is a rapidly growing, integrated energy business centered on providing environmentally responsible energy to the Western, Midwestern, and Eastern United States. It is involved in renewable and gas-fired generation development, natural gas storage and hub services development, structured energy sales and purchases, energy trading, plant asset management and fuels procurement. PPM Energy has over 1,500 MW of wind energy in its portfolio.

From 2000 to 2002 Roby was Manager of Renewable Energy Business Development at PacifiCorp. He managed renewable development projects and initiatives plus negotiated and managed renewable energy power purchase agreements and projects. PacifiCorp was the regulated U.S. subsidiary of ScottishPower.

Roby has a bachelor's degree from Lewis and Clark College.

ENDS

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