Last week I talked about the importance of wind-generated electricity. This week I wanted to pass along information about a project underway in Indiana that would generate a total of 750 megawatts (MW) of wind energy. Fowler Ridge Wind Farm, located about 90 miles northwest of Indianapolis, is the site of a project in its first phase that will utilize 222 wind turbines — 182 Vestas V-82 1.65-MW turbines and 40 Clipper C-96 2.5-MW turbines — to produce 400 MW of electricity. That phase is expected to be operational by the end of this year. The second phase is expected to generate an additional 350 MW, bringing the total project output to 750 MW. Construction of the second phase could begin as early as 2009. Dominion and BP are partners for 650 MW of the 750-MW site, with BP retaining sole ownership of 100 MW.

Once operational, Dominion says Fowler Ridge will be one of the largest wind power facilities in the world and will generate enough electricity to power more than 200,000 homes. The wind farm is also expected to provide revenue to local landowners, in the form of leases, and tax revenue to local governments. The project will also create new jobs. For more information, see the Dominion May 29 press release.

Posted by Dan Burton (10-14-2008, 12:43 PM) filed under

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Comments

Comment by: Robert October 26, 2008 01:52 PM Dan, can you tell us how expensive one turbine is and how long it takes to recoup the expense? Also is there government subsidies for the wind energy?

Comment by: Michael Wilkinson November 01, 2008 12:28 PM I applaud Indiana's participation in wind power. As a taxpaper, I think our investment is this free, clean energy resource is a no-brainer. New eco-technologies CREATE jobs. We need more of them to replace rust-belt manufacturing jobs. Kudos! Michael Wilkinson

Comment by: Michael Wilkinson November 02, 2008 02:19 PM Great New York Times article about how wind technology brought new fiberglass blade manufacturing jobs to Newton, Iowa and helped employ former Maytag factory workers: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/business/02wind.html?hp

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