The MGE 66 MW wind farm near Saratoga in Iowa is now operational. MGE (Madison Gas and Electric) is a primary subsidiary of MGE Energy Inc, a utility firm based in Madison, Wisconsin.
The wind farm became operational last week after successfully completing the mandatory electrical system and turbine tests. Saratoga wind farm’s turbines are almost 500 feet tall
The wind farm is close to the town of Saratoga in Howard County. It can generate enough electricity to power about 47,000 homes.
According to an MGE press release:
“Saratoga is about 200 miles west of Madison – located in the northeast section of Iowa. This high, flat and open area provides an excellent wind resource and is close to an established substation and transmission lines to carry the power.”
“The 13-square-mile parcel spans mostly large grain farms. Most of the farmland surrounding the 33 turbines will continue producing crops.”
Danish company Vestas Wind Systems A/S supplied the wind farm’s thirty-three turbines.
MGE statement
Jeff Keebler, Chairman, President, and CEO of MGE, said:
“MGE remains committed to driving carbon out of our energy supply mix and to reaching our carbon reduction goals.”
“Saratoga – and our other proposed renewable energy projects – are steps in our ongoing transition toward a more sustainable energy future.”
MGE aims to supply thirty percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. This is part of the company’s effort to reduce carbon emissions. It also aims to reduce its CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030.
The company has applied to regulators for an additional 100 MW of solar energy.
What is wind energy
Wind energy or wind power refers to capturing the energy in moving air (wind) and converting it into electricity.
Over the past ten years, wind energy has become a major generator of renewable energy. Renewable energy is energy whose source is everlasting – it never depletes. ‘Everlasting’ in this context refers to a human timescale and not a geological timescale.
Solar energy, which captures the energy of the Sun and converts it into electricity, is also renewable. So are geothermal energy, biomass energy, and hydropower.