The Shell Rock Wind Farm is an important component of MMPA’s commitment towards generating its own sustainable power supply. This 44 megawatt wind project located in Freeborn County, MN will support the agencies dedication to carbon-free and renewable energy.
Clean and Sustainable Electricity
The Shell Rock Wind Farm will generate enough electricity to power 15,000 Minnesota homes per year. Landowners within approximately 2,500 acres will 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 November 2008, MMPA began working with landowners in the study area to determine the feasibility of a wind farm in that area. Several steps must occur before turbines are 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 will help MMPA meet the state requirement to achieve a Renewable Energy Standard 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 experienced success by providing education about power generation to school and community groups. At Shell Rock 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, and will help visitors understand how electricity is produced in ways that protect the environment. Wind is a community resource and we believe the citizens have the right to learn about it.