Wind Generation

Ainsworth Project

Grand Island is a participant in the Ainsworth Wind Energy Farm (AWEF) near Ainsworth, NE. This facility was constructed in 2005 and consists of thirty-six 1.65 megawatt turbines for a total project output of 59.4 megawatts. Grand Island has a one megawatt participation level in AWEF. AWEF is another joint project that is operated by Nebraska Public Power District, and includes participation by Omaha Public Power District, the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, Grand Island Utilities, and JEA of Jacksonville, Florida. Since the start of AWEF, Grand Island has received an average of 285 megawatt hours of energy per month.

Elkhorn Ridge

Elkhorn Ridge Wind, LLC (Elkhorn) is an 80 MW wind farm located near the town of Bloomfield in northeast Nebraska. It consists of twenty-seven 3 megawatt turbines. It began commercial operation January 1, 2009. Unlike AWEF, Elkhorn is a privately owned facility. NPPD entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with Elkhorn to purchase all power produced by the facility. Grand Island then signed a Power Sales Agreement with NPPD to purchase a 1 MW share of the power produced at Elkhorn. Since the start of Elkhorn, Grand Island has received an average of 265 megawatt hours of energy per month.

Laredo Ridge

Laredo Ridge Wind, LLC (LRW) is an 80 MW wind farm located near the town of Petersburg in northeast Nebraska. It consists of fifty-four 1.5 megawatt turbines. It began commercial operation February 1, 2011. Similarly to Elkhorn, LRW is a privately owned facility. NPPD entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with LRW to purchase all power produced by the facility. Grand Island then signed a Power Sales Agreement with NPPD to purchase a 1 MW share of the power produced at LRW. Since the start of LRW, Grand Island has received an average of 297 megawatt hours of energy per month.

Broken Bow

Broken Bow Wind, LLC (BBW) is an 80 MW wind farm located near the town of Broken Bow in central Nebraska. It consists of fifty 1.6 megawatt turbines. It began commercial operation December 1, 2012. Similarly to Laredo Ridge, BBW is a privately owned facility. NPPD entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with BBW to purchase all power produced by the facility. Grand Island then signed a Power Sales Agreement with NPPD to purchase a 1 MW share of the power produced at BBW. Since the start of BBW, Grand Island has received an average of 332 megawatt hours of energy per month.

Prairie Breeze III

Prairie Breeze III (PBIII) is a 35.8 MW wind farm near the town of Elgin in north central Nebraska.  It consists of twenty 1.7 megawatt turbines.  In contrast to previous projects, Grand Island entered into a power purchase agreement directly with the developer.  Grand Island sub-leases 7 MW to the City of Nebraska City and 2 MW to the City of Neligh, leaving GIUD with 26.8 MW.