Renewables - Wind

Great River Energy currently purchases the output of five wind projects in Minnesota for a total of 218 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy. A 160-foot, 200-kilowatt wind turbine is located on the site of our Maple Gove facility. Great River Energy is on track to reach the 25 percent renewables goal by 2025 set by the Minnesota Legislature.

The 100 MW Trimont Area Wind Farm – Minnesota’s first commercial-scale, landowner-developed wind farm in November 2005. Forty-three landowners in Jackson and Martin counties partnered with PPM Energy and Great River Energy to develop the project.
The 100-MW Prairie Star Wind Farm in Mower County, Minnesota, generates enough electricity to power approximately 36,000 Minnesota homes. The wind farm consists of 61 1.65-MW wind turbines.
Great River Energy also purchases the output from three smaller wind projects in Chandler, Minnesota; Dodge Center, Minnesota, and Jackson County, Minnesota.
In addition, Great River Energy signed an agreement 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.

Great River Energy and our member cooperatives offer the popular Wellspring Renewable Energy Program. Through the program, customers may choose to buy additional wind energy for a nominal monthly fee.

To date, more than 6,100 co-op members purchase Wellspring renewable energy . To purchase Wellspring renewable energy, contact your local electric cooperative.

View the previous day’s wind generation from the Chandler Hills Wind Farm.