August 28, 2007
Minnesota
Minnesota
The New Ulm Public Utilities Commission will be told tonight its options are limited in obtaining wind generation turbines for the wind farm project.
The commission will meet at 7 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers.
Preliminary plans call for the construction of three wind turbines for New Ulm. A project of that limited scale may create a problem, according to Public Utilities officials.
“Many manufacturers are refusing to take part in the supply of turbines for projects of less than 10 units,” reports NUPU Director Gary Gleisner
Of the eight suppliers contacted, only three provided “positive feedback.”
Vestas, the utility’s preferred vendor, is one of the five refusing to provide fewer than 10 units, Gleisner says.
Commissioners also will receive an update from the utility’s Planning & Development Engineer, Patrick Wrase, regarding the utility’s long term electric power projects, including the wind farm project.
The commission will be asked to approve the Option to Lease Agreement for obtaining easements for placing the wind energy generation turbines when they’re obtained, as well as authorizing staff to negotiate and execute the terms and conditions of the Option to Lease Agreement.
The commission also will be asked to amend the 2007 Utility Schedule of Fees and Charges to increase the utility’s reconnection charges.
In another related meeting, the City of New Ulm/New Ulm Public Utilities Long-Term Power Committee meets at 4 p.m. today in the PUC Conference Room.
A recommended portfolio recap of keeping existing combustion turbines, a power provider contract, boiler No. 4 conversion to coal/biomass and a 9MW wind project will be discussed.
Updates on portfolio implementation efforts and status and the public relations/communication program will be provided.
By RON LARSEN
Journal Staff Writer
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/08/28/obtaining-only-3-wind-turbines-may-be-challenge-for-nupu/