Mortenson's Tatanka Wind Project Crosses the Line

Minneapolis, MN - Mortenson's Renewable Energy Group is currently working on the Tatanka Wind Farm which spans the border of North Dakota and South Dakota, on the Coteau des Prairies Ridge.

The project site features many of the favorable elements for a productive wind energy facility - high elevation, large land mass, strong wind resources and easy access. The 180-megawatt wind farm is the inaugural wind energy project in partnership with Acciona Energy North America Corp. and Acciona Windpower USA, both subsidiaries of Acciona S.A.  Acciona energy is the largest developer, owner and operator of wind farms in the world and one of the largest wind turbine manufacturers.

Mortenson will be the first contractor to erect Acciona wind turbines in North America. Acciona is also active in other power generation technologies based on renewable energy sources - biomass, biofuels, small hydro, solar, and thermal energy.

Construction at Tatanka began in April, 2007 with completion scheduled for December, 2007. Despite rain and wind delays, the team at Tatanka successfully topped off the first complete wind turbine on Thursday, August 16.  Mortenson’s scope on the project includes:

• 30 Miles of access roads
• 120 Turbine foundations
• Erection of 120 Acciona 1.5MW wind turbines on 80-meter towers
• Construction of a 34.5kV/230kV substation
• Installation of 55 miles of 34.5kV underground electrical collection system
• Construction of 13 miles of overhead transmission lines

Local and federal entities have been involved in Tatanka’s construction. Archaeologists where on site to observe the progress of earth work to ensure Native American artifacts were not unearthed and destroyed. Officers from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are also present to protect regulated native grasslands and vegetation, and avifauna, such as pheasants, that roam the area.

The landowners have made Tatanka a substantial part of their lives. In addition to cattle ranching, each member of the family is now involved in wind farming as part of their livelihood, including providing maintenance services once Tatanka is operational. To the delight and benefit of the Tatanka construction team, the family has set up shop as on-site food vendor, providing breakfast and lunch each day with help from each of their five children. “We’ve never eaten so good at a job site.  Plus, it’s wonderful to see their smiling faces everyday,” said Bill Jackson, Sr. Project Manager.