The Minnesota Projects
In June 1995, Northern States Power (NSP), Minnesota`s largest investor-owned utility, took the wind industry by surprise when it awarded a 100-MW contract worth at least $75 million to California wind company Zond Systems. What was surprising was the bid to use 143 of Zond`s Z46 - a turbine not yet in production. The project would be the world`s largest single wind plant. Despite the award and the boost to the windpower industry, there is some controversy surrounding the Zzzzzond/NSP project. One of Zond`s competitors, Kenetech Windpower, has requested a declaratory judgement from the Minnesota Public Utility Commission voiding the NSP award to Zond. Kenetech charged that Zond`s proposed Z46 does not exist, that there is no performance data on such a turbine, and that Zond is not capable of financing such a project. NSP is under pressure to have the Zond project completed. Under an agreement hammered out by Minnesota`s state legislature, NSP is permitted to continue storing wastes from its Prarie Island nuclear plant as long as it develops wind energy according to a 100 MW incremental schedule.
- OSTI ID:
- 161595
- Journal Information:
- Independent Energy, Journal Name: Independent Energy Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 25; ISSN 1043-7320; ISSN IDPEEW
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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