Lake Erie Energy Development Corp. (LEEDco), developer of the Project Icebreaker offshore wind project in Lake Erie, has selected Cleveland-based Middough Inc. to provide design and construction of the land-based electric facilities needed to connect the wind farm to the Cleveland Public Power Lake Road substation.
The interconnection is a critical component of the demonstration project, says LEEDco, which adds that Project Icebreaker will be North America’s first freshwater wind project.
Upon completion of the 21 MW project, there will be six wind turbines located 8-10 miles off the Cleveland coastline. LEEDco says the wind farm will generate enough electricity to power 6,000-10,000 homes.
The developer says Middough has extensive experience in substation and utility interconnection design and supply, including current substation design activities at the CPP Lake Road substation interconnection site.
“Project Icebreaker is a demonstration project that will put Cleveland on the map as an offshore wind innovation and testing center, where we can learn how to harness this vast wind resource in a cost-competitive and environmentally responsible way,” said Lorry Wagner, president of LEEDco.
LEEDCo uses a foundation design called the Mono Bucket, which was developed by Denmark-based Universal Foundation and will reduce installation costs for the project.
According to Wagner, the Mono Bucket “is lighter than our original concept, requires significantly less time on the water during construction, will reduce environmental disturbance and can be fabricated locally.”
LEEDCo has received a Submerged Lands Lease from the state and is in the process of updating and completing its state and federal permit applications. Permitting is expected to be completed in 2017, and construction will take place in 2018 at a total cost of about $125 million.
