Nordex USA Inc. has entered into a joint venture with Beebe Community Wind Farm LLC, a Michigan project developer, for the co-development and construction of a wind farm in Gratiot County, Mich.
The project was initiated in 2007 by local resident Mark Hull, principal of Beebe Community Wind Farm LLC. Hull brought on Nordex last year to support project development as well as to supply 125 of Nordex's new N117-2.4 MW turbines, which are designed specifically for low-wind sites and are derived from the established Nordex 2.5 MW class, according to the company.
The N117 boasts longer rotor blades, resulting in an average 15% yield increase over previous products, according to the company. The turbines will be manufactured at Nordex's recently constructed plant in Jonesboro, Ark.
More than 20,000 acres of land have been leased for the project, which has interconnection positions on a 345 kV line and has been granted its special-use permit from the county.
Wind has been measured on the site for more than two years with met towers and sonic detection and ranging, and continued environmental studies support the project's feasibility, according to the company. Power sale discussions are ongoing with several potential off-takers. The start of Phase I construction is targeted for 2012, with further phases slated for 2013 and 2014.
SOURCE: Nordex
