Ground breaking for $200m Nebraska wind project

July 23, 2010

Construction got underway on Tuesday for a $200 million wind farm near Petersburg, Nebraska.

The Laredo Ridge wind project is owned and operated by an affiliate of California-based Edison Mission Group (EMG), part of Edison International, and was initially developed by Chicago firm Midwest Wind Energy.

The 81-megawatt wind farm is located in Boone County, on a ridgeline about three miles northeast of Petersburg, and is to comprise 54 wind turbines supplied by US manufacturer GE.

Scheduled for completion by year-end, it should generate enough power to supply around 26,000 homes with electricity.

Ron Litzinger, CEO of EMG, said: “Nebraska has a good wind regime, and, more importantly, provides a welcoming environment through legislation designed to attract investment in renewable energy projects and local officials who work with developers to bring jobs and clean energy to their community.”

The developers said the project is expected to support about 170 construction jobs, and will see $6 million in taxes and fees generated for the local and state economies over the next 20 years.

Power from the wind farm is to be sold under a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Nebraska Public Power District.

Top 10

Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, who spoke at the ground-breaking ceremony on Tuesday, said he expected his state to reach the top 10 for wind energy production among US states in the next decade.

He said: “The Laredo Ridge Wind Facility is a significant expansion of Nebraska’s wind power capacity. I want to thank Edison Mission Group, Midwest Wind Energy and NPPD for helping expand our stake in renewable energy.”

The Nebraska Public Power District is aiming to source 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020, and said Laredo Ridge would be a small step towards the target.

Ron Asche, president and CEO of NPPD, said: “Having a well diversified energy resource mix, which includes renewable energy resources, is also a key element in helping us continue to provide low-cost, reliable electricity to our customers throughout the state for years to come. As an emission free resource, the wind energy will also provide environmental benefits for the state.”

Laredo Ridge is the second collaboration between EMG, NPPD and Midwest Wind Energy, following the completion of the Elkhorn Ridge wind farm near Bloomfield in 2009.

EMG, which describes itself as the seventh largest wind energy developer in the US, is currently working to finalize a contract on a third project with NPPD – Broken Bow in Custer County.