Gov. John Hoeven, R-N.D., and local community leaders joined officials from NextEra Energy Resources, Otter Tail Power Co. and Minnkota Power Cooperative Inc. to celebrate the commercial operation of the Ashtabula Wind Energy Center at a site near Valley City, N.D.
Located in Barnes County in southeastern North Dakota, the Ashtabula Wind Energy Center is a 196.5 MW project capable of generating enough electricity to power more than 50,000 homes. Initial operation of the 131 wind turbines at the wind farm began in December 2008.
Otter Tail Power Co. owns 32 of the Ashtabula Wind Energy Center's 131 turbines, or 48 MW. NextEra Energy Resources owns the remainder of the turbines and operates the entire wind farm. All of the remaining output from the facility is sold to Minnkota under a long-term contract.
SOURCE: NextEra Energy Resources
