Ohio is investing in two new projects to develop utility-scale wind energy, according to the Ohio Business Development Coalition (OBDC).
The Ohio Department of Development, through its Ohio Wind Production and Manufacturing Incentive Program, has awarded grants totaling $5 million to the Buckeye Wind Project, developed by EverPower Renewables in Champaign and Logan counties, and JW Great Lake's Wood County Wind Farm in Wood County.
The Buckeye Wind Project, rated at a peak capacity of 100 MW, is planned to meet the electricity needs for nearly 30,000 homes, and was approved for a grant of $3 million. The remaining $2 million goes to the JW Great Lakes wind farm at 49.5 MW, which could power 15,000 homes. Both projects are expected to be operational by June 2009.
Ohio also is moving forward with feasibility studies for the installation of up to 10 wind turbines off the coast of Lake Erie. If the year-long study proves favorable, it will be the world's first instance of wind turbines installed in fresh water.
