New developer plans for local ownership of turbine clusters

A new project developer entering the US wind market plans to form renewable energy co-operatives to develop small clusters of large turbines for America's farmers. US Wind Farming Inc, which claims it is America's only publicly traded wind power developer, has selected the first 15 sites for wind power generation installations that could total 225 MW when completed. The projects will use 1.5 MW to 2.5 MW GE Wind Energy turbines. The developer has commissioned GE Wind, the Vaisala Group and Rosendin Electric to evaluate the 15 sites. The budding wind developer hopes to complete the projects in 2005. It will form the co-operatives with the participation of the US Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture. In addition to developing the renewable energy co-operatives, US Wind Farming says it will repower several existing wind farms in California's Tehachapi Pass, Altamont Pass and Palm Springs wind resource centres. It also intends to help farmers with small scale wind installations to offset the costs of each farm's electrical needs through local net metering programs.