New Benton County wind farm

BENTON COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - Work has already begun on the new Hoosier Wind Project.  This will be the third wind farm in Benton County. 

Indianapolis Power and Light and the energy company EnXco have partnered up for IPL's green energy initiative.  IPL will purchase the power from EnXco, which will provide 29,000 with electricity.  At a groundbreaking ceremony, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman says today is not only an exciting day for Benton County, but for the entire Hoosier State.

"We've made Hoosier home grown clean energy a priority and we have the potential to be a power house of wind energy production," said Skillman.

The new wind farm project stretches over 6500 acres of farmland northeast of Fowler. It will consist of 53 turbines. IPL CEO Ann Murtlow says the wind farm will provide customers with a direct source of alternative energy.

"IPL has been an early mover with providing green options for our costumers throughout the state of Indiana and the City of Indianapolis have taken advantage of those programs. We are now delighted to have added homegrown or maybe we should say homeblown to our mix," said  Murtlow.

The turbines at the existing wind farms in Benton County stand at about 38 stories tall. The turbines for the new project will stand about 3 stories taller than that.

"The 53 2 MW wind turbines that will be located here will be some of the largest operating in the county and the entire output of this windfarm will go to serve IPL customers," said Murtlow.

Land owner Joan Wealing says she is happy to have a wind turbine on her property.

"I think it's just a wonderful opportunity. We are contributing to green energy, we are developing an economy in our county. We 've been so richly blessed with this particular resource and it's just great to see that it is finally being developed," said Wealing.

The Hoosier Wind Project is expected to be complete this fall.