USA - Nordex USA co-develops a 300 MW Michigan wind farm

Nordex USA Inc. has entered into a joint venture with Beebe Community Wind Farm LLC, a Michigan-based project developer, for the co-development and construction of a wind farm in Gratiot County, Michigan. The project began in 2007 by local resident Mark Hull, Principal of Beebe Community Wind Farm LLC. Hull brought on Nordex in 2010 to support project development and supply 125 Nordex N117-2.4 MW turbines, which are designed specifically for low-wind sites. The N117 boasts the longest rotor blade in its category, resulting in an average 15% yield increase over previous products. These turbines will be manufactured at Nordex’ recently constructed plant in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

“We were initially interested in Nordex’ turbine technology for our class-3 wind site,” said Hull, “but including them in the project team has considerably accelerated our development efforts. Wind projects require specialized expertise in several complex areas, so having Nordex on our side has been a true asset.”

The Beebe Community Wind Farm takes a community-based approach that spreads economic benefit among local land owners through land leasing arrangements and to the greater community through tax revenues. More than 20,000 acres of land have been leased. The project has interconnection positions on a 345 kV line, and has been granted its Special Use Permit from the county. Wind has been measured on the site for more than two years with met towers and SODARs, and continued environmental studies support the project’s feasibility. Power sale discussions are ongoing with several potential off-takers. The start of phase one construction is targeted for 2012, with further phases slated for 2013 and 2014.

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