A new wind energy farm in Montana will more than double that state’s wind energy output.
The $500 million Glacier Wind Farm in Northern Montana is now the biggest in the state, putting out more than 210 megawatts and joins Montana’s Judith Gap farm, which produces 135 megawatts of power. This article in the Great Falls (MT) Tribune says Gov. Brian Schweitzer and NaturEner USA officials were on hand for the completion ceremony:
“This wind farm is one of the reasons Montana is on the map as a leader in wind energy development,” Schweitzer said.
NaturEner USA began construction of the Glacier Wind Farm near Shelby in 2008. It is to be built in two phases.
Schweitzer spoke at the official ground breaking of the first phase on July 17, 2008. The 106.5 megawatts of power from that phase went online at the end of October 2008.
With the completion of the second phase, the entire 210-megawatt output is now on the electrical grid, according to the governor’s office.
San Diego Gas and Electric, an investor-owned utility in California that serves 1.2 million customers, is purchasing some of the power produced at the Glacier Wind Farm.
And yet another wind farm is planned for that area. The $800 million Rim Rock project will feature 206 turbines generating 309 megawatts of power, making it one of the largest wind farms in the Northwest United States.