Little Rock Wind Project Summary
Minnesota’s renewable portfolio standard requires the state to have 25% of its electricity come from renewable sources by 2025. With National Wind as its project manager, Little Rock Wind plans to contribute to this requirement by developing 150 megawatts of wind generation projects in Big Stone County, Minnesota. Little Rock Wind was initially formed in late 2008 by a group of local business people and landowners.
Additionally, an advisory board was formed from the project’s founders that meets on a monthly basis to discuss the project’s progress. This advisory board helps National Wind’s development staff make important connections with local landowners and investors because of their experience with local farming practices.
“We encourage landowners to become involved because this is a once-in-lifetime opportunity to take our energy future into our own hands. This project will provide many economic benefits for our children and grandchildren while making the world a cleaner, safer, place to live,” says Brent Olson, founder and advisory board member of Little Rock Wind, LLC.
The project is currently staffed with a knowledgeable field specialist, Jesse Hopkins-Hoel, and two skilled developers from National Wind. The expertise this team provides serves as a useful resource for the project’s development efforts.
The feasibility study for the project included preliminary wind, transmission, and environmental analyses. The results designated the location a positive area for commercial wind farm development.
The important first step in developing Little Rock Wind is obtaining the land needed to construct the wind projects. There has been a lot of interest in the project already with 8,000 acres committed and 4,000 acres signed as of June 2009. This is over half the acres needed for the project’s development. Overall, the project will take 5-7 years to develop.
It is a busy road ahead for Little Rock Wind but one filled with promise and excitement! For further information, please contact Jesse at 320-761-4621 or stop by the Little Rock Wind local office at 890 Pine Ave. Ortonville, MN.