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Wind Farms

Facts

Home of the first windfarm in Benton County: http://www.earlparkindiana.com/windfarm.html

There are three developers in Benton County

1. Orion Energy Group LLC—Benton County Wind Farm project
2. BP Alternative Energy—Fowler Ridge Wind Farm project
3. enXco—Hoosier Wind Farm project

Orion Energy Group LLC = 87 turbines = 130.5 megawatts
BP phase I & III = 222 turbines = 402 megawatts
BP phase II = 133 turbines = 199.5 megawatts
enXco = 53 turbines = 106 megawatts
Total = 495 turbines = 838 megawatts

   1.   Benton County Wind Farm is approved for 135 turbines
             This project covers 11 square miles of the northwest corner of the county in Richland and York Townships.
             So far, 87 GE 1.5 megawatt turbines equaling 130.5 megawatts are standing. 
             Electricity goes to a substation in Kentland and then to the Chicago market.
   2.  Fowler Ridge Wind Farm is approved for 460 turbines
             In Phase 1 & 3, 222 turbines equaling 402 megawatts were built. 182 Vestas V-82 1.65 megawatt turbines and 40 
             Clipper C-96, 2.5 megawatt turbines=222 turbines. In phase 2, 133 GE 1.5 MW turbines were built, equaling 199.5 MW.
             Dominion Resources, Richmond, Virginia has purchased 600 megawatts, which will go to Appalachian Electric Co.
   3.  Hoosier Wind Farm is approved for 53 turbines equaling 106 megawatts
             This project covers seven square miles of the North-East corner of the county in Union & Gilboa township covering 
             approximately 6,000 acre site.              
             53 2.0 megawatt RePower turbines are used for this farm.
 
Economic Impact

1. Economically—businesses such as the gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, and the housing market all benefited from the workers that were here when developing the farms and because of the workers that have stayed to maintain the farms. Also, a new tourism center!
2. Workforce—An increase of over 95 total new jobs!
3. County government—the income from the wind farms has allowed the council and commissioners to work together in paying off its debts.
4. School Corporation –Benton Community School Corporation received a monetary gift from the Benton County Government.
5. County residents—benefit with lower property taxes.
6. Towns and townships—received money for projects developed within their community.

Other Interesting Wind Information

• Cost for 1 turbine is slightly over $1.2 million per megawatt
• Cost of overhead utility line is approximately $1 million per mile (arial pulled lines by helicopter for 23 miles!)
• The amount of homes one turbine can provide power for:
  • 2.5 megawatt Clipper = 700 homes
  • 1.65 megawatt Vestas = 462 homes
  • 1.5 megawatt GE = 420 homes
• The speed of the blades at the tip is approximately 120 mph
• The heaviest component is the nacelle with the blades:
  • Clipper = ~ 158,000 pounds
  • Vestas = ~ 142,000 pounds
• At present time, we have 3 Operating and Maintence Buildings located at:
  • BP Alternative Energy—Sate Rd.18 & US Highway 52
  • Orion Energy Group LLC—County Road 600 N & State  Road 71
  • enXco—County Road 300 E. & County road 900 N.