GE to power 12.6MW community wind initiative in US

GE has been selected to supply 1.6-82.5 wind turbines to power the 12.6MW community wind initiative in rural southwestern Iowa, US.

The community is purchasing six 1.6-82.5 wind turbines following the success of two 1.5MW GE turbines and together all the eight turbines will power the 12.6MW wind initiative.

The 180 wind initiative community members who each bought shares in the units purchased the turbines to generate electricity for the towns of Greenfield, Fontanelle, and other surrounding communities in the region.

Green Energy Farmers president Randy Caviness said, "When we developed our business model, it was critical that we select the right project partner and technology supplier to help us implement our project for the benefit of all project investors, as well as the communities where we live."

GE renewable energy vice president Vic Abate said, "The community wind energy initiative in Iowa represents an important model for other towns and communities to learn from."

The community will upgrade the previously installed 1.5-MW unit with one 1.6-82.5 turbine at the Cumberland Rose Wind Energy project, located north of Orient.

It will also upgrade the Meadow Ridge Wind Energy project, located north of Greenfield, with a 1.6-82.5 unit replacing the previously installed 1.5-MW wind turbine.

The community members will also use one 1.6-82.5 turbine each at the Wiota Wind Energy project in Wiota, at the Forward Fontanelle Power in Fontanelle, and at the Greenfield Wind Power and Sky Volt projects, both located in Greenfield.

The power produced from the wind initiative will be purchased by the City of Fontanelle, the City of Greenfield, and by three of Farmers Electric Cooperative’s 11 substations.

The remaining power will be purchased by Central Iowa Power Cooperative, and the regional power distributor which will provide energy to other nearby communities.

GE will also provide a ten year maintenance support under customer service agreement.