The Oak Glen Wind Farm is an important component of MMPA’s commitment towards generating its own sustainable power supply. This 44 megawatt wind project located in Steele County, MN supports the agencies dedication to carbon-free and renewable energy.
Clean and Sustainable Electricity
Completed in 2011, the Oak Glen Wind Farm will generate enough electricity to power 14,000 Minnesota homes per year. Landowners within approximately 3,000 acres participate under long-term easement options that cover turbines, access roads, transmission corridors, and wind flow, resulting in a combination more than sufficient for a 44 MW wind farm.
In October 2008, MMPA began working with landowners in the study area to determine the feasibility of a wind farm in that area. Several steps occurred before turbines were installed, including final feasibility planning, agreements with landowners, financing arrangements, permitting from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, and equipment purchase.
This development project reflects MMPA’s commitment to sustainable energy, and helps MMPA meet the state requirement to achieve a Renewable Energy Objective of 25 percent by 2025.
Community Investment
MMPA seeks to be good neighbors to the communities in which we operate by providing benefit to the host community. At Faribault Energy Park, we were successful by providing education about power generation to school and community groups. At Oak Glen Wind Farm we will apply the same model by installing an educational display structure at the gateway to Oak Glen Wind Farm. The structure will provide information about how wind is harnessed to create electricity. It will also help visitors understand how electricity is produced in ways that protect the environment. Wind is a community resource and at MMPA, we believe the citizens have the right to learn we can use its power in our communities.
In The News
- Oak Glen Wind Farm is featured in the Blooming Prairie Times. Please click here to read the full article.
- Oak Glen Wind Farm's Ground Breaking Ceremony is featured in the Owatonna People's Press. Please click here to read the full article.