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Edina, Minnesota-based Geronimo Energy, LLC, has announced the sale of a portfolio of Midwest renewable energy projects to Berkshire Hathaway Energy’s subsidiary BHE Renewables, LLC.
The projects include the soon to be developed Grande Prairie Wind Farm in Holt County, Nebraska; the soon to be developed Walnut Ridge Wind Farm in Bureau County, Illinois; and a portfolio of future Minnesota solar projects.
About Grand Prairie
Scheduled for completion in 2016, Grand Prairie Wind Farm will produce 400 megawatts of power, and will cover approximately 54,250 acres of land in portions of Willowdale, Antelope, Grattan, Iowa, Scott, and Steel Creek Townships. The wind farm will have up to 266 wind turbines with capacities ranging for 1.5 to 3 megawatts a piece. Grand Prairie will be the largest wind energy project in the state of Nebraska, and will up the state’s wind energy capacity by approximately 50 percent.
About Walnut Ridge
Other projects acquired from Geronimo Energy include the Walnut Ridge Wind Farm, a 123-turbine 225 megawatt wind farm development to be located in north central Illinois that was originally a joint venture between Geronimo Wind Energy and the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians of California. The Federal Government’s General Services Administration has already entered into a Power Purchase Agreement for 140 megawatts of Walnut Ridge’s capacity. The facility is scheduled to be constructed in 2016, pending the resolution of a lawsuit brought by area property owners over the visual impact of the wind farm.
Solar Portfolio
An additional Solar Portfolio made up of Minnesota solar projects was also acquired by BHE Renewables. The portfolio includes seven solar developments throughout the state of Minnesota, which are part of Xcel Energy’s Community Solar Garden Program.
Construction of the Solar Portfolio is scheduled for 2016. It is being marketed towards Xcel Energy’s Solar Rewards Community Program. Current subscribers to the Solar Portfolio include, but are not limited to, St. Paul Public Housing Agency, St. Olaf College and District Cooling St. Paul (an affiliate of District Energy St. Paul).
© 2015 David Mazor
Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.