Project Overview
Mortenson helped deliver the 100.34 MW Northern Wind Repower Project in Lake Wilson, Minnesota, modernizing a wind facility Mortenson originally constructed in the early 2000s. The repower replaced the original turbines with modern equipment, increased annual electricity production by approximately 30%, and incorporated new electrical infrastructure.
Key Takeaways:
- Repowered Renewable Energy Asset: Replaced aging wind infrastructure with modern turbines to extend the site’s useful life and improve performance.
- Higher Output with Fewer Turbines: Increased annual generation by about 30% while reducing the turbine count from 65 to 37.
- Rural Economic Support: Created construction activity and long-term value for the Buffalo Ridge region during a period of economic recovery.
- Sustainability-Focused Execution: Recycled more than 90% of removed turbine bodies, wiring, foundation concrete, and rebar.
Project Impact
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commissions identified an opportunity to boost the economy and bring jobs to a southwestern Minnesota community. The repowering of the Northern Wind Repower Project also brought increased electricity production and offered their customers savings to electricity usage over the next two decades.
ALLETE Clean Energy worked with Mortenson to develop and deliver this innovative project that brings resources to rural Minnesota’s economy. The project also does its part in reducing the effects of climate change for decades to come by constructing new wind energy, while repowering older wind sites. By installing new turbines, the Northern Wind Repower Project can contribute to an increase in electricity production by 30% - leading to customer savings and a stronger economic outlook. The project will result in an increase in customer use of clean renewable wind energy, while also reducing energy costs to those customers over the life of the project.
- Completion Date
December 2022
- Delivery Method
-
Engineer, Procure and Construct
- Additional Project Facts
-
ALLETE Clean Energy
120 MW
Repowering an Existing Wind Facility
The original Northern Wind project site, constructed by Mortenson in the early 2000s, had 65 1.5-megawatt early generation of General Electric wind turbines, capable of producing about 280,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. Repowering this site included the removal of all 65 turbines and replacing them with 37 larger, modern turbines, producing about 370,000 megawatt-hours per year, an energy production increase of about 30%, from 40% fewer turbines.
Connecting the Repowered Facility
The repowering effort also consisted of a new 34.5 kV switchyard that connected to Xcel Energy’s existing substation.
After the site was repowered in 2022, ALLETE Clean Energy sold the assets to Xcel Energy.
Green Building Solutions
All companies involved were committed to reducing their carbon footprint and bringing renewable energy to the grid. Specifically, the project supports Xcel Energy in delivering its plan to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2030 – in pursuit of the company’s vision to deliver 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050. To further enforce green building solutions, of the old turbines removed from the site, more than 90% of the turbine bodies, wiring, and foundation concrete and rebar were recycled, further adding to the project’s environmental benefits.