03.27.07, 5:06 AM ET

LISBON (AFX) - EDP Energias de Portugal said it has signed an agreement to fully acquire Horizon Wind energy LLC from Goldman Sachs Group Inc (nyse: GS - news - people ), in a deal valuing the US wind farm group’s equity at 2.150 bln usd.

In a statement, EDP said that the final price paid for Horizon will be adjusted for additional investments estimated at 600 mln usd, adding that Horizon’s net financial debt at end 2006 stood at 180 mln usd.

The acquisition will be financed by EDP’s borrowing, as well as the proceeds from a ‘tax equity partner,’ the group said, adding that both financing tools are ‘fully underwritten’.

The operation is awaiting regulatory approval and is expected to be finalised by the end of the second quarter of this year.

Horizon has 559 gross megawatts of wind assets on stream and a further 997 MW under construction, with forecasts to have a total operating capacity of 1,556 gross MW or 1,324 net MW on stream by the end of the year.

EDP said that Horizon’s wind projects are located in sites with high levels of wind resource, adding that the average load factor for its completed wind farms and projects under construction is 37.5 pct.

The Portuguese energy group said that Horizon also has a ’strong pipeline’ of projects at different stages of development which, when completed, are expected to give a combined aggregate generating potential of 9,000 MW.

The group’s wind assets have been reviewed by ‘highly experienced external consultants, such as Garrad Hassan,’ EDP said, adding that Citigroup (nyse: C - news - people ) acted as financial advisor to the Portuguese company for this operation.

After the transaction EDP is expected to have 3,800 gross MW of wind generation capacity on stream by the end of the year, the company said, adding that the deal accelerates the implementation of its 2007-2009 strategic plan and diversifies its sources of revenue.