Kansas City Power & Light Issues Request for Proposal for Wind Energy in Missouri and Kansas

 

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Apr 16, 2007 -- BUSINESS WIRE

 

Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L), a subsidiary of Great Plains Energy (NYSE: GXP), announced today it is seeking bids to develop up to 400 MW of emission-free, renewable wind generation in Missouri and/or Kansas. KCP&L will assess proposals to add a minimum of 100 MW in 2008 and up to an additional 300 MW from 2009 through 2012. The company's first wind project, The Spearville Wind Energy Facility in Spearville, Kansas, became operational in 2006.

"Our first venture into wind energy in Spearville is a major success, and we will build on that model, collaborating with all stakeholders, as we increase our renewable portfolio," said Bill Downey, President and CEO of KCP&L. "In addition to Spearville, we will be reviewing other sites in both Missouri and Kansas."

The company's Spearville Wind Energy Facility began supplying renewable, clean energy to KCP&L customers in October 2006 and provides enough power to meet the annual needs of 33,000 households. Projects like Spearville have also provided a valuable economic boost to the rural areas where they are located.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) invites firms to submit proposals that would fulfill the requirements as set forth in the RFP. Proposals for Kansas sites should follow the guidelines prescribed by the Kansas Energy Council. The guidelines discuss concerns including consideration that should be given to residents and natural resources in and near potential wind power sites.

A complete copy of the request for proposals, along with a notice of intent form, is available on KCP&L's Web site at www.kcpl.com. Proposals are due June 15, 2007, at which time KCP&L will begin reviewing the submissions.

Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., KCP&L (www.kcpl.com) is a leading regulated provider of electricity in the Midwest. KCP&L is a wholly owned subsidiary of Great Plains Energy, Incorporated (NYSE: GXP), the holding company for KCP&L and Strategic Energy L.L.C., a competitive electricity supplier.

Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this release that are not based on historical facts are forward-looking, may involve risks and uncertainties, and are intended to be as of the date when made. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding projected delivered volumes and margins, the outcome of regulatory proceedings, cost estimates of the comprehensive energy plan and other matters affecting future operations. In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Great Plains Energy is providing a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the provided forward-looking information. These important factors include: future economic conditions in the regional, national and international markets, including but not limited to regional and national wholesale electricity markets; market perception of the energy industry, Great Plains Energy and KCP&L changes in business strategy, operations or development plans; effects of current or proposed state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments, including, but not limited to, deregulation, re-regulation and restructuring of the electric utility industry; decisions of regulators regarding rates its subsidiaries can charge for electricity; adverse changes in applicable laws, regulations, rules, principles or practices governing tax, accounting and environmental matters including, but not limited to, air and water quality; financial market conditions and performance including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates and in availability and cost of capital and the effects on pension plan assets and costs; credit ratings; inflation rates; effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures and the ability of counterparties to satisfy their contractual commitments; impact of terrorist acts; increased competition including, but not limited to, retail choice in the electric utility industry and the entry of new competitors; ability to carry out marketing and sales plans; weather conditions including weather-related damage; cost, availability, quality and deliverability of fuel; ability to achieve generation planning goals and the occurrence and duration of unplanned generation outages; delays in the anticipated in-service dates and cost increases of additional generating capacity; nuclear operations; ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities in non-regulated businesses and the effects of competition; application of critical accounting policies, including, but not limited to, those related to derivatives and pension liabilities; workforce risks including compensation and benefits costs; performance of projects undertaken by non-regulated businesses and the success of efforts to invest in and develop new opportunities; the ability to successfully complete merger, acquisitions or divestiture plans (including the acquisition of Aquila, Inc., and the sale of assets to Black Hills Corporation); and other risks and uncertainties. Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in Great Plains Energy's most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q or annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors.

SOURCE: Kansas City Power & Light

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