Huge Wind Project Announced
NSP Picks Zond for Buffalo Ridge Turbine Project Called "Largest Single Wind Project Ever Bid in the World"

What one wind power executive called "the largest single wind power project ever bid in the world" is coming to southwestern Minnesota

Northern States Power Co. (NSP) announced Thursday that it has selected Zond Development Corp., Tehachapi, CA to supply the Buffalo Ridge's next set of wind turbines, to be built by the end of 1996. [Note: Delays have moved this completion date to the end of 1997 at the earliest.] The Zond turbines will be placed near the first 73 commercial wind towers located south of Lake Benton, which were commissioned by Kenetech Windpower in 1994.

Zond plans to build 143 turbines to supply 100 megawatts. The new turbines will be placed northwest of Lake Benton in Lincoln County. . . Zond Senior Vice-President Robert Gates considers the Buffalo Ridge contract an important step forward for the company, given the size of the NSP proposal. "The NSP award is the largest single wind project ever built in the world," Gates said. He added that NSP's interest in wind production offers and encouraging sign to wind energy companies as they seek further advancements in alternative energy.

"NSP is an excellent utility that values wind energy," Gates said. "It's a great opportunity fro Zond to be associated with them. Their approval of our proposal demonstrates that we're gaining a market acceptance of our turbines."

The region has been involved in the wind industry since 1986, when NSP began a test site near Holland in Pipestone County with three wind turbines. Average wind speeds along the summit of the ridge total about 16.1 miles per hour, making it Minnesota's windiest region.

Future construction segments are likely to stretch out along the Buffalo Ridge in Lincoln, Pipestone, and Murray counties. The first 73 wind towers have already brought revenue into Lincoln County, a rural area with very little industrial activity.

"It helps to have the construction revenue and the local business," said Lincoln County Enterprise Development facilitator Vince Robinson, who also coordinates a local wind energy task force. "It's brought new opportunities."

The wind towers [near Lake Benton!] have also become a point of interest for travelers. They've led to recent sales of miniature wind turbines and wind energy sweatshirts. An added development has been an interest in someday starting local wind energy cooperatives.

Robinson hopes to see Lincoln County's benefits increase along with the next phase of construction. One of the goals with the second phase is to generate as much business as possible for local establishments.

"Some of our local businesses had a lot of success with the first phase," Robinson said. "In other cases the developers looked for local suppliers but we weren't ready to meet their needs. With this phase we want to make sure that everyone who has an opportunity can take advantage of it."

- by Jim Muchlinski, Staff Writer, Marshall Independent (June 23, 1995)

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