Keep tabs on the Bent Tree Wind Farm

If you’ve been out and about in the Albert Lea area lately you’ve undoubtedly noticed that construction work has begun on Alliant Energy’s Bent Tree Wind Farm project here in Freeborn County. If you haven’t noticed, you will soon. Perhaps the most visual aspect of construction will begin with the arrival of the turbines, currently scheduled to begin in July.

The Bent Tree Wind Farm site spans approximately 32,500 acres and has the potential to develop up to 400 megawatts of emissions-free wind energy. Phase I will consist of 122 turbines that are capable of producing up to 200 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 50,000 homes. A final timeline for the construction of Phase II of Bent Tree Wind Farm has yet to be determined.

Stay tuned for project updates. If you have specific questions about this project you can always contact the Wind Energy Development team at Alliant Energy by email at windenergy@alliantenergy.com, or by phone at 1-800-545-3122.

Update - August 5, 2010

The first turbine components have begun arriving at the Bent Tree Wind Farm site. When all is said and done, it’ll take more than 1,000 truckloads to bring the pieces of all 122 wind turbines that will make up Phase I of the Bent Tree Wind Farm. In addition to turbine components beginning to arrive, the two main cranes used to erect the turbines have arrived on site as well, along with the smaller supporting cranes that will help with turbine assembly. Turbine erections are expected to start in the coming weeks.

Check out the photo gallery page for pictures!

Update - August 18, 2010

Check our the photo gallery for updated pictures, the first turbine is up!

Update - October 18, 2010

61 Turbines are fully erected,

however not operational until wiring and inspections are complete.

Visit the photo gallery for updated photos!

Update - October 21, 2010

65 Turbines are fully erected but not operational at this time

**New pictures added to photo gallery**

Update - November 4, 2010

82 are erected and many are going through multiple power tests.

They are still scheduled for commercial operation in the spring.

Update - January 11, 2011

All Turbines are up!  Turbines should be commercially operational in March.

Check out the photo gallery for updated pictures!

Click here to Visit Alliant Energy's Bent Tree information site

For more information on wind energy visit the American Wind Energy Association online at  www.AWEA.org

Visit our online photo gallery here!