News

MMPA Adds Wind Energy Supply, Bolstering its Renewable Energy Portfolio

January 31, 2017

Additional 78 MW of wind generation demonstrates MMPA’s commitment to renewables.

The Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) has expanded its portfolio of renewable resources to include power from the Black Oak Getty Wind Farm. Power output from the 78-megawatt (MW) wind farm, located in Stearns County MN, further demonstrates the Agency’s commitment to renewable energy.

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.

“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.”

MMPA takes a long-term approach to power supply planning that includes assembling a diversified portfolio of owned and purchased generation containing both conventional and renewable resources. This approach allows the Agency to maintain flexibility in the rapidly-changing electric utility industry and positions the Agency well for the future.

Oncu Er, Vice President of Planning for Avant Energy, MMPA’s management partner said, “MMPA’s renewable energy investments support the Agency’s ability to deliver competitively-priced power to its members. In addition, a portion of these renewable resources help us meet the Minnesota Renewable Energy Standard, which requires 25 percent 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.

.