Today, Gulf Power filed a petition asking the Florida Public Service Commission to approve an agreement that would make the utility a leading purchaser of wind generation among Florida utilities. The agreement would be the first of its kind in the state.

The project, called Kingfisher Wind, will be built in central Oklahoma, where conditions are favorable for wind energy.

“Kingfisher Wind will help Gulf Power add renewable generation that makes environmental and economic sense,” said Jeff Rogers, Corporate Communications manager. “Smart renewables, like Kingfisher Wind, are cost effective for customers."

Kingfisher Wind is a 300 MW project, expected to produce enough energy to power about 100,000 homes per year.  With FPSC approval, Gulf Power will purchase 180 megawatts of wind energy from the project — enough to power approximately 50,700 homes per year. Kingfisher Wind is expected to be operational by Dec. 31, 2015.

“If approved, the power we purchase from Kingfisher Wind would represent approximately 5 percent of our projected energy mix,” said Rogers. “Wind power helps diversify the power supply and Kingfisher Wind is projected to provide lower overall energy costs.”

This wind project would be Gulf Power’s fifth renewable energy project following the Perdido Landfill Gas-to-Energy Facility, which has produced more than 100 million kilowatt hours of electricity since 2010, and three solar energy projects that will begin construction in February 2016 if approved by the FPSC.

Gulf Power announced in January that the utility is partnering with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force to build solar energy farms at three different facilities across Northwest Florida.

If approved by the FPSC, the solar energy farms will be constructed at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach (30 megawatts), Holley Field in Navarre (40 megawatts) and Saufley Field in Pensacola (50 megawatts) and could be in service as early as December 2016.

“Adding alternative energy facilities to our energy portfolio mix takes a large amount of careful planning to ensure we provide our customers with what they want and need — renewable energy that diversifies our power supply while remaining cost effective,” Rogers said.

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Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 436,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely provide exceptional customer value by delivering reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity while strengthening our communities. Visit online at GulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page, “Gulf Power Company.” News information can be found at GulfPowerNews.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this release is forward‐looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward‐looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning the schedule for completion and projected benefits of the Kingfisher Wind project and other renewable energy projects and Gulf Power’s anticipated generation mix. Gulf Power cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward‐looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward‐looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Gulf Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Gulf Power’s Annual Report on Form 10‐K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward‐looking information: ability to control costs and avoid cost overruns during the development and construction of facilities, to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses, to satisfy any operational and environmental performance standards, and to integrate facilities and operations upon completion of development and construction; state and federal rate regulations and the impact of pending and future rate cases and negotiations; and available sources and the costs of fuels. Gulf Power expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward‐looking information.