EDP Renewables North America (EDPR) and its offtake partners Cummins Inc., Nestlé, and Wabash Valley Power Alliance celebrated the completion and commissioning of the Meadow Lake VI Wind Farm today with a dedication and ribbon-cutting event.
Construction of Meadow Lake VI Wind Farm farm provided about 140 jobs and several permanent jobs. The completion of this project propels EDPR’s operational wind capacity to more than 1,000 MW in Indiana, which accounts for 43% of the state’s installed wind capacity.(Image: Mortenson)
Elected and public officials, landowners, and various community members attended the event, including the representatives from the four companies that jointly hosted the event.
Brian Buchanan, Indiana State Senator – District 7, and Sharon Negele, Indiana State Representative – District 13, joined EDPR and its partners to recognize the supportive landowners and community members and discuss their associations with the wind farm.
“Using wind energy to power homes and businesses with clean and renewable energy is becoming more common and creates opportunities for significant economic growth in rural communities like ours,” Negele said. “It takes a great deal of collaboration to help a project like the Meadow Lake VI Wind Farm get up and running, and I commend Cummins, Nestle, and Wabash Valley Power Alliance for their commitment to purchase power and invest in our community.”
The Meadow Lake VI Wind Farm is a 200-MW project located in northwestern Indiana in Benton County. The wind farm became operational at the end of 2018 and represents an approximate capital investment of $320 million. Area landowners and local governments are receiving millions of dollars in lease and tax payments, respectively, while construction and ongoing operations of the wind farm has stimulated the local economy through money spent at neighboring businesses.
Patrick Culp (Superintendent) and Don Pampel (School Board President) from Tri-County Schools also attended the event and spoke on the wind farm’s positive impact on the school. A check presentation for $10,000 donations contributed to the Remington Volunteer Fire Department, Benton Community Foundation, and Benton Community Food and Service Co-op and an optional bus tour to learn more about the wind farm were also included in the event’s program.
“This partnership is a great opportunity for our community, and I’m grateful to the local officials, corporations, and other parties involved for taking the initiative and making this investment,” Buchanan said. “I look forward to seeing the valuable resource Meadow Lake VI Wind Farm will be for our area and state.”
Construction of the Meadow Lake VI Wind Farm was made possible by the execution of long-term power purchase agreements (PPA) with the project’s three offtakers: Cummins Inc., Nestlé, and Wabash Valley Power Alliance. Cummins Inc. and EDPR executed a 75-MW virtual PPA, enabling Cummins Inc. to power all of its Indiana facilities with the renewable electricity generated by the Meadow Lake VI Wind Farm.
“Our mission is making people’s lives better by powering a more prosperous world, and a key part of achieving this involves leading in environmentally-sustainable practices, both in our facilities and with our products,” said Rich Freeland, Cummins Inc. President and COO. “I hope our peers will see the benefits achieved here and join us in exploring new ways to advance our sustainability efforts across Indiana.”
Nestlé and EDPR inked a 50-MW deal, which helps Nestlé’s advance toward its renewable energy goals. Energy harvested at Meadow Lake VI will power facilities in Pennsylvania producing a range of products across the Nestlé U.S. portfolio, including Deer Park Brand 100% Natural Spring Water and Nestlé Purina pet foods such asFriskies and Purina Pro Plan. The energy will also power an Allentown, PA, distribution center which sends millions of cases of Nestlé products to grocery stores, including Coffee mate creamer, Libby’s Pumpkin, and Gerber baby food.
“Nestlé’s partnership with EDPR is a major step forward for our ambition to procure 100 percent of our electricity from renewable sources,” said Kevin Petrie, Chief Supply Chain Officer for Nestlé USA. “The expansion of Meadow Lake VI helps us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions as we strive for zero environmental impact in our operations by 2030.”
Wabash Valley Power Alliance purchases 75 MW of power from the project, which directly benefits rural electric cooperative members across Indiana.
“Wabash Valley Power Alliance is excited to be a part of the sixth expansion of the Meadow Lake wind farm,” said Greg Wagoner, Wabash Valley Power Alliance EVP – Stakeholder & Government Relations. “As a generation and transmission utility we are committed to a balanced portfolio that is both nimble and cost-effective for our member cooperatives spanning Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. The 75 MW of wind generation we will offtake from Meadow Lake VI affirms our commitment to an “all of the above” strategy in our power portfolio.”
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