Geronimo Energy has sold a portfolio of wind and solar energy projects to BHE Renewables, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
The sale includes the Grande Prairie Wind Farm, located in Holt County, Neb.; the Walnut Ridge Wind Farm in Bureau County, Ill.; and a portfolio of Minnesota solar project developments. The Grand Prairie and Walnut Ridge acquisitions were previously announced by BHE Renewables.
Grande Prairie is a 400 MW wind farm development located in northeastern Nebraska. Omaha Public Power District has agreed to purchase the entire 400 MW of Grande Prairie's capacity. Once constructed, Grande Prairie will be the largest wind energy project in Nebraska and will increase the state's wind energy capacity by approximately 50%. Construction of Grande Prairie is expected to begin this year, with commercial operation beginning in 2016.
Walnut Ridge is a 225 MW wind farm development located in north central Illinois. The U.S. government's General Services Administration has agreed to buy 140 MW of Walnut Ridge's capacity. Development of Walnut Ridge is expected to continue throughout this year, with plans to construct the facility in 2016.
The solar portfolio includes seven solar developments throughout the state of Minnesota and is part of Xcel Energy's community solar garden program. Construction of the solar portfolio is anticipated to occur in 2016. Current subscribers to the solar portfolio include St. Paul Public Housing Agency, St. Olaf College and District Cooling St. Paul.
According to Geronimo, each of the projects will bring a substantial economic impact to its local host area, including funds from additional tax revenue, landowner payments and other contributions to the local community, as well as the creation of both part-time and full-time permanent local jobs.
