Members receiving energy from new wind farm

The electricity serving cooperative members just got a little greener as another wind energy project has been added to the mix.

The Emmons-Logan wind farm located in south central North Dakota began producing electricity in late December, becoming the largest renewable resource serving Great River Energy’s member-owner cooperatives. The 200-megawatt project will provide carbon-free electricity to members for the next 25 years.

The wind farm is the newest addition to Great River Energy’s growing portfolio of renewable resources. Over the past five years, all of Great River Energy’s new energy resources have been renewable.

“Our carbon emissions have dropped significantly since 2005, and we continue to pursue additional carbon reductions over time,” said Great River Energy’s Vice President and Chief Power Supply Officer Jon Brekke. “Wind energy is a cost-competitive resource that serves our members while reducing carbon.”

The Emmons-Logan wind farm features more than 80 wind turbines capable of generating enough clean, renewable energy to power 80,000 homes. With the new project, Great River Energy’s wind capacity will include more than 600 megawatts.

Great River Energy met the requirements of Minnesota’s Renewable Energy Standard in 2017, eight years ahead of the state requirement. In May 2018, Great River Energy established a voluntary goal to provide its all-requirements member-owner cooperatives with energy that is 50% from renewable resources by 2030.