Wind is becoming one of the most popular forms of renewable energy. Wind-generated power uses no fossil fuels, produces no emissions and leaves no by-products. A kilowatthour of electricity generated by wind is a kilowatt hour not generated with fossil fuel and that means air quality is improved.

In Minnesota we have a huge supply of wind. This great resource combined with a sharp drop in cost of wind power generation over the past several years means that wind power makes a lot of sense for the people of Minnesota.

On December 16, 2008, the 67th and final wind turbine was erected at Wapsipinicon Wind Farm signaling the end of an ambitious construction project that began in October 2008. All wind turbines were fully operational just two weeks later on December 30, 2008.

SMMPA is purchasing all power from the Mower County wind farm through a power purchase agreement with enXco. The 67 GE 1.5 MW turbines are expected to annually generate about 335,000 MWh of electricity, enough to meet the annual electricity needs of over 39,000 homes.

The power purchased from Wapsipinicon Wind Farm significantly expands SMMPA's renewable portfolio and ensures that more than 10% if the Agency's generation is renewable. This places SMMPA well ahead of its good faith obligation to have 7% of its generation supplied by renewable resources by 2010.

SMMPA also owns and operates two 950 kilowatt wind turbines and two 1.65 MW wind turbines located Fairmont as well as two 1.65 MW wind turbines located in Redwood Falls.