The Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) has expanded its portfolio of renewable energy sources to include power from the Black Oak Getty Wind Farm. Power output from the 78-MW project in Stearns County MN, further demonstrates the Agency’s commitment to renewable energy.
By adding more wind power to their mix, MMPA will take a step closer to meeting the Minnesota Renewable Energy Standard, which requires 25% of the Agency’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2025.
“We are proud to add this new renewable source to our power supply portfolio,” said MMPA Chairman, John Crooks. “Renewable energy is a key component of our power supply and is important to our members’ customers.”
In addition to the power generation provided by the Black Oak Getty Wind Farm, the Agency’s renewable energy portfolio includes 44 MW of wind energy from the Oak Glen Wind Farm, 8 MW of bioenergy from Hometown BioEnergy, and renewable energy purchases from other utilities.
MMPA takes a long-term approach to power supply planning that includes assembling a diversified portfolio of owned and purchased generation containing conventional and renewable resources. This approach lets the Agency maintain flexibility in the rapidly changing electric utility industry and positions the Agency well for the future.
“MMPA’s renewable energy investments support the Agency’s ability to deliver competitively-priced power to its members,” said Oncu Er, VP of Planning for Avant Energy, MMPA’s management partner. “In addition, a portion of these renewable resources help us meet the Minnesota Renewable Energy Standard, which requires 25% of the Agency’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2025.”
MMPA signed a long-term contract with Sempra U.S. Gas & Power for the output of the Black Oak Getty Wind Farm. The wind farm, comprised of 39 wind turbines, entered commercial operation in December 2016.
MMPA provides wholesale electricity to its member communities who in turn deliver and sell that electricity to the residential and business customers in their communities. The Agency is comprised of municipal utilities in Anoka, Arlington, Brownton, Buffalo, Chaska, East Grand Forks, Elk River, Le Sueur, North St. Paul, Olivia, Shakopee, and Winthrop.
Filed Under: News, Policy, Projects
