The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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July 11, 2010

Wind project gears up for next phase

Fifty farmers working together with 180 turbines

By Brian Ojanpa Free Press Staff Writer

TRIMONT — The third phase of a wind energy project calls for the erection of 62 wind turbines near Trimont.

Construction has started near the Martin County town south of St. James and the turbines are expected to be operational by December.

Martin County Commissioner Jack Potter said the latest phase will utilize windmill generators capable of each providing enough electricity to power 350 homes.

“Wind is going to be an ever-increasing part of our total electrical mix,” Potter said, with a huge influx of turbine installations foreseen in the next decade.

The first phase of the project included installation of 67 turbines in 2005. In the next phase 66 towers were erected in neighboring Jackson County.

The presence of wind turbines is a moneymaker for the county, which will receive about $170,000 in production tax from the new towers, Potter said.

A Portland, Ore., company is building the wind farm using Japanese-made turbines that typically provide 20 years of use.

Potter said the project began 10 years ago at the behest of several dozen progressive farmers who wanted to produce their own electricity.

“How often can you get 50 farmers to agree on anything? It’s amazing that they got this done,” Potter said.

The state of Minnesota has a mandate to acquire 25 percent of its power from renewable resources by 2025.

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