AECI Named Wind Coop of the Year
Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc., (AECI) of Springfield, Mo., has been selected as the 2006 Wind Cooperative of the Year by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and Cooperative Research Network (CRN).
AECI is the power supplier for Access Energy Cooperative, headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, as well as 50 other electric distribution cooperatives in Iowa, Missouri and Oklahoma. The award recognizes AECI for leadership, demonstrated success, and innovation in its wind power program. In collaboration with the wind industry, DOE aims to develop clean, domestic, and advanced wind energy technologies that can compete with conventional forms of electricity.
The first to bring utility-scale wind power to Missouri, AECI has committed to 156 megawatts (MW) of wind power from three different projects in northwest Missouri. The first of the three 50-MW wind projects, Bluegrass Ridge Wind Farm, is under construction in King City, Mo. The second, Cow Branch Wind Project, is located in Rock Port, Mo., and the third, Conception Wind Project, is located in Conception, Mo. All three projects are expected to be operational by the end of the year.
The Wind Cooperative of the Year Award was presented at NRECA’s TechAdvantage 2007 Conference and Expo in Las Vegas. AECI Director of Member Services and Corporate Communications Keith Hartner accepted the award. AECI was one of six rural, member-owned utilities nominated this year for the award.
“Associated Electric Cooperative is very pleased to play a part in bringing the first wind farms online in Missouri, and we are honored that DOE and NRECA are recognizing our efforts,” Hartner said. “We share our success with John Deere Wind Energy and developer, Wind Capital Group and its president, Tom Carnahan. Their commitment is helping AECI meet our members’ needs with a reasonably priced, clean, and renewable resource.”