AECI Involved In Wind Energy
Associated Electric Cooperative Inc., (AECI) power supplier for Access Energy Cooperative, announced recently it has joined with Wind Capital Group and John Deere Wind Energy to construct a 50-megawatt wind energy project in King City, Mo., 30 miles northeast of St. Joseph.
The project will be named “Bluegrass Ridge” in tribute to the farming community’s historic role in bluegrass seed harvesting.
“AECI is committed to providing affordable, renewable energy options to our members. We are particularly pleased that the wind energy we are purchasing is harvested in our service area and that this investment will be staying here in our own communities,” said Jim Jura, CEO and general manager of AECI.
When completed, the project will consist of 24, Suzlon S-88 turbines, and will produce enough power for up to 30,000 homes. Associated will purchase the electricity for its member systems, which include Access Energy Cooperative. Construction is expected to begin in early summer with at least 16 turbines operational by the end of 2006.
“Wind is a clean, renewable source of affordable electricity, which has the added benefit of strengthening rural communities of Iowa and Missouri,” said Tom Carnahan, the project developer and president of the Missouri-based Wind Capital Group. “I am very proud to be working with Iowa and Missouri’s electric cooperatives and John Deere Wind Energy to bring this first project to our state.”
Project financing is being provided by John Deere Wind Energy, based in Johnston, Iowa, a unit of Deere & Company. “John Deere is excited to be a part of Missouri’s first wind project and to be making an investment that benefits the communities where our customers live,” said David Drescher, vice president of John Deere Wind Energy.
“This is an excellent example of a project that will benefit rural counties, schools and farmers while at the same time proving the value of an untapped, renewable energy resource for the state of Missouri,” said Sen. David Klindt of Bethany. “I am excited to be part of this pioneer project.”
Adds Rep. Jim Guest of King City, “sometimes we consider the wind a curse or a blessing depending on the time of year. But we are definitely going to start looking at it as a blessing when it blows through there now.”
The impact on the local economies could be significant. Farmers in the project area will have the opportunity to receive annual lease payments and the area could also see job creation, local investment, tourism and an expanded tax base. Michael Waltemath, a local farmer and member of the school board, expects to host several turbines on his farm. “My family has been farming this ground for generations and now we have a new crop that doesn’t interfere with the rest of the farm operations. Acre for acre, wind will be the most profitable crop we harvest, not to mention what it will do for the local schools. We’re really looking forward to all the new activity,” he said.