Wind Energy
Currently, the output from 93 large wind-powered turbines in the region is being integrated into the power supply system for 124 electric cooperatives, including East River's member cooperatives. Electric co-ops are consumer-owned and controlled organizations that supply energy and related services to members at cost, without seeking a profit.
With a potential generating capacity of up to 136 megawatts, these wind projects produce enough energy to serve 40,000 homes on an annual average. This effort is reducing our dependence on traditional fossil fuels and helping to keep our environment clean.
Wind generators produce power at seven sites
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Wind turbines that supply "renewable energy" to Basin Electric Power Cooperative are an important part of its wholesale power supply. Commercial wind turbines are generating electricity for Touchstone Energy Cooperative members in the region at the following locations: |
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Chamberlain, SD & Minot, ND sites
| CHAMBERLAIN, SD -- The first two utility-size wind turbines in the Dakotas were erected on a hill overlooking the Missouri River Valley in central South Dakota. The turbines, located northeast of Chamberlain, have a combined output of 2.6 megawatts and began commercial operation in January of 2002.
Partners in the project included Central Electric Cooperative, Mitchell, S.D.; Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bismarck, N.D.; and East River Electric and its member systems. View generation graphs from the wind turbines.
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This display at the Chamberlain Project shows an actual-size replica of a wind turbine tip. |
MINOT, ND -- Following the success at Chamberlain, Basin Electric Power Cooperative constructed two identical turbines in North Dakota. The turbines, constructed near Minot, began commercial operation in January of 2003. Central Power Electric Cooperative of Minot is a partner in this project. The wind turbines are located 13 miles south of Minot in the service territory of Verendrye Electric Cooperative, a Central Power member system.
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A B-52 from the Minot Air Force Base flies over the Minot Project's dedication ceremonies.
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Chamberlain & Minot wind turbine facts:
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Highmore, SD and Edgeley & Wilton, ND sites
Basin Electric contracts to buy all of the energy from these three wind farms, which are owned and operated by FPL Energy of Juno Beach, FL. FPL Energy is the nation's largest developer of wind projects.
HIGHMORE, SD -- This 40-megawatt wind farm was constructed 10 miles south of Highmore, SD in 2003. The 27 wind turbines at the South Dakota Wind Energy Center began commercial operation in October of 2003. East River Electric is a partner in this project, providing a transmission path for the output of the wind turbines to the grid through its transmission system. The largest wind farm in South Dakota, it is located in the service territory of Dakota Energy Cooperative, an East River member system.
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EDGELEY, ND -- Following the assembly of the wind turbines in Highmore, the FPL Energy contractor moved its cranes to assemble 27 wind turbines at a site near Edgeley, N.D. Project partner Central Power Electric Cooperative constructed 11 miles of transmission lines to connect the wind farm with an existing substation. The North Dakota Wind I Energy Center began commercial operation in October of 2003.
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The wind farm is located in the service territory of Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative, a Central Power member.
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WILTON, ND -- In early 2006, the Wilton Wind Energy Center became the newest addition to Basin's wind portfolio. Located near Wilton, ND, the 33 wind turbines have a capactiy to produce nearly 50 MW.
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The Wilton Wind Energy Center is the third major wind project FPL Energy has installed in the Dakotas. |
Pipestone, MN and Rosebud Indian Reservation sites
In addition to receiving energy from 87 FPL commercial-size wind turbines, Basin Electric also purchases the output from 19 smaller, privately-owned wind generators in the region. Through the PrairieWinds Renewable Energy Program, the electricity from these various sites help power the homes and farms of Touchstone Energy Cooperative members.
ROSEBUD, SD -- In central South Dakota, a 750-kilowatt wind turbine was erected on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation, near the Nebraska state line. The first utility-scale wind turbine owned and operated by a native-American tribe was dedicated in May of 2003. Cherry-Todd Electric Cooperative, based in Mission, S.D.; provided technical expertise and built powerlines to deliver the turbine's output to the grid.
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PIPESTONE, MN -- In southwest Minnesota, the Pipestone-Jasper School District installed a 750-kilowatt wind turbine at the Pipestone High School campus in 2003. The local electric cooperative, Sioux Valley Energy of Colman, S.D., is delivering the electricity generated by this turbine to the school and other consumers through Sioux Valley's distribution system.
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 The Pipestone-Jasper School District's 750-kilowatt turbine is seen behind its high school building. |
ALEXANDRIA, SD -- This small wind project is at the Oak Lane Colony near Alexandria. East River Electric and Central Electric Cooperative worked with the Hutterite Colony, located southeast of Mitchell, on transmission and interconnection studies. The project was approved by the power pool to connect to the Central Electric system in January 2006. |
 The colony installed two wind turbines, for a total of 160 kilowatts. |
