New wind farm operating in White County

WHITE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - If you are driving through White County, you may have noticed a new set of wind turbines spinning in the air.  Phase I of the Meadow Lake Wind Farm is now complete, which can power up to 60,000 Indiana Homes.
 

"Phase I just completed construction and is in operation as of this week.  It's a 200 megawatt project, which is one of potentially 1,000 total megawatts," said Peter Parks.

Horizon Wind Energy developed Meadow Lake.  The first phase consists of 121 turbines.  But, Project Manager Peter Park said this is just the beginning of a much bigger wind farm.

"Phase II is 99 megawatts and is in construction right now.  Phases III, IV, and V are each about 100 megawatts as well.  That's all in White County and could be operational by early to mid next year," said Parks. 

Parks said Horizon Wind Energy is also looking at projects in Benton, Jasper, and Newton County.  He said that would be the next step in the build out planned.  He said the Meadow Lake Wind Farm will yield many environmental benefits.

"Close to a million tons of C02 will be taken out, it's the equivalent of taking out 104,000 cars off of the road.  It's part of the puzzle for energy independence and to be able to have domestic production.  It's the cheapest clean power that's available right now," said Park.

Park said not only are the wind farms beneficial to the environment, they also have helped create hundreds of local jobs.
 

"The peak construction period there was about 450 jobs, and we have 20 to 24 full time employees that will be running the first phase of Meadow Lake Wind Farm.  Two thirds of all the jobs are locally created," said Park.

With construction of more phases underway, more jobs could soon come to the area.  Park said Horizon Wind Energy has not yet contracted a power purchase agreement with a utility company, but hopes to as soon as possible.