Renewable Energy Sources

As Great River Energy continues to grow, our new generation will include more environmentally sound renewable energy sources. Our generation sources already include wind energy, refuse-derived fuel and hydropower. Great River Energy is looking at ways to further diversify its energy portfolio by exploring biomass, fuel cells and other technologies as they become available.

Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectric power has provided a clean, steady power source since the early days of this century. In fact, one of Great River Energy’s oldest sources of generation is hydropower from Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) dams. Currently, 100 MW (summer rating) of hydropower for Great River Energy member cooperatives comes from WAPA.

Although hydropower is produced from the non-consumptive use of moving water and it produces no air emissions or other waste, it is not always included in statutory definitions of renewable energy.