Minnesota Power, a Duluth, Minn.-based electricity provider, has agreed to purchase all of the energy for 20 years from two community-based energy development wind generation facilities proposed to be built in Todd and Otter Tail counties in west-central Minnesota.
The site of the proposed facilities is within Minnesota Power's electric service territory near Hewitt, Minn., the company says. Barnesville, Minn.-headquartered Bear Creek Wind Partners LLC would build, own and operate the wind farm, which would comprise 13 2.5 MW turbines manufactured by German-based Nordex.
According to Bear Creek, the initial turbine is expected to be operational in June of this year - once that is erected, 12 additional turbines will be installed for a total capacity of 32.5 MW. The wind farm is expected to be complete in 2008, Minnesota Power adds.
