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Great River Energy Signs Wind Power Purchase Agreement for Elm Creek Wind Farm
Great River Energy is pleased to announce that it has signed a power purchase agreement with PPM Energy (PPM), a unit of IBERDROLA RENOVABLES, to purchase wind power from the Elm Creek Wind Farm. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2008 on the 99-megawatt Elm Creek Wind Farm near Trimont in southern Minnesota.
The Elm Creek wind power project is expected to feature 66 wind turbines at 1.5 megawatts each. PPM of Portland, Ore., one of the largest providers of wind power in the United States, is developing the new wind farm which is expected to begin operations in December 2008.
“This project is an excellent fit for Great River Energy. Not only does it provide us with clean, renewable energy it also is a local project adjacent to the Trimont Area Wind Farm and our Lakefield Junction Station power plant,” said Jon Brekke, Great River Energy’s vice president of member services. Great River Energy has purchased wind power from the Trimont Area Wind Farm since it began operations in November 2005.
“With the addition of the output from Elm Creek Wind Farm, Great River Energy will have over 300 megawatts of wind capacity under contract,” said Brekke. “That gives us a great start toward meeting the state of Minnesota’s renewable energy standard.”
“PPM Energy is delighted to enter into an agreement with such a reputable company as Great River Energy," said Tim Seck, director of development for PPM Energy. “We had great success with the Trimont Area Wind Farm and we look forward to that same success with Elm Creek.”
“This project is a model for community wind power and a good fit for Great River Energy based on its competitive pricing, access to transmission and ability to serve the members of our cooperative,” added Brekke.
This project provides more benefit to landowners than the typical wind project. Landowners benefit from revenue participation, as well as from traditional easement payments. In addition, production tax revenues from the project for Jackson and Martin counties are expected to range from $350,000-$400,000 annually.
Great River Energy is a not-for-profit electric generation and transmission cooperative providing wholesale electric energy and related services to 28 distribution cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin serving more than 600,000 customers, or approximately 1.7 million people. For more information about Great River Energy, visit: www.GreatRiverEnergy.com.
PPM Energy (www.ppmenergy.com), part of IBERDROLA RENOVABLES, has 1,993 megawatts (MW) of wind energy in operation (including 606 MW provided under power purchase agreements from third parties) as of Nov. 30, 2007. PPM Energy balances its supply portfolio with sales to wholesale customers, placing almost all of its output in long-term contracts.