In a plan to expand wind energy in Wisconsin, Madison Gas and Electric Company is teaming up with Wisconsin Public Power Inc., a wholesale energy provider based in Sun Prairie, in a joint request to implement as much as 80 megawatts of wind-generated power over the next several years.
MGE is now requesting proposals for a wind farm capable of producing at least 10 megawatts of electricity, enough power to light 3,500 homes. Along with its partner, the Madison-based company is taking bids for construction of facilities to produce 10 to 20 megawatts of wind power by December 2005. They will then seek another 10 to 20 megawatt-producing structures within subsequent years.
The announcement comes only weeks after Gov. Jim Doyle put together his Energy Efficiency and Renewable Task Force, which will work to develop creative, compromised ideas for restoring Wisconsin leadership in conservation and renewable energy. More specifically, it will look to reduce the state’s dependence on out-of-state energy by promoting renewable energy sources in Wisconsin.
“At a time when Wisconsin is looking to build additional generation and transmission facilities, we should consider that energy conservation and renewable resources are equally important to a sound energy policy for the state,” Doyle said in a statement.
Wind power, however, is not new to the state or MGE, for the company already owns and maintains a wind farm in northwestern Wisconsin’s Kewaunee County. Completed in 1999, the farm generates approximately 11 megawatts. WPPI also owns two wind turbines near Worthington, Minn., which generate 1.8 megawatts.
“The farm in Kewaunee has been a tremendous success. There is definitely a demand for wind energy in Wisconsin,” MGE spokesman Steve Krause said.
However, wind energy does not come without its disadvantages, UW professor and expert on renewable resources and energy Timothy Allen said.
“With wind farms, there are negatives: noise pollution, dead birds,” Allen said. “More importantly, wind energy may not be the most practical alternative to fossil fuel energy for the state of Wisconsin, as there are so few areas in the state that have wind gusts that are both strong enough and consistent enough to make turbines work well.”
Krause said wind power plants do not generate as much electricity per dollar as conventional plants. In fact, nonrenewable electricity typically costs about $0.04 per kilowatt, while wind energy costs more than double that amount at $0.09 per kilowatt.
“Wind energy is definitely viable, however,” Krause said.
MGE is optimistic that further expansion and research in wind energy will drive down costs. This optimism is encouraged by a consistent consumer demand for more wind energy.
MGE sells portions of the wind energy it harvests to those customers who choose to pay a slightly higher cost to generate electricity using wind power. It is sold in $5 blocks and a single block of wind power increases a typical electric bill by about 8 percent. Despite the additional expense, Krause reports that blocks from the Kewaunee County wind farm have sold out.
