Lake Region Electric Cooperative
The LREC Board of Directors has decided to cancel participation in a power purchase agreement from a proposed local renewable energy project. Project developer Juhl Energy Development Inc. also withdrew their application to Dunn Township for a conditional use permit needed to build the wind/solar hybrid project. “The project was intended to lower power cost and help provide rate stability for the co-op but based on feedback we received from local members, our board of directors decided it was best not to proceed,” said CEO Tim Thompson. “We would like to express our appreciation to the landowners involved, to both Dunn and Scambler Townships for their consideration and to all the Lake Region members who provided their feedback, both pro and con, regarding the renewable project,” Thompson added.
Wind/Solar Hybrid Renewable Energy Project Information
Project plans called for erecting a GE 2.0 MW turbine with a total height of 486’ to the tip of the blade in a vertical orientation. In addition, plans called for installation of a 500 KW PV solar array. Total production was to be integrated into the local Pelican Lake Substation distribution system. Designed by Juhl Energy, the hybrid project would have utilized the latest technology from General Electric, including a Wind Integrated Solar Energy (WiSE) system which provides for steadier production of electricity by allowing solar energy to be integrated through conversion and/or curtailment via the same inverter and control system used by the GE wind turbine. LREC would have purchased power from the project, providing rate stability with approximately $3 million in savings over the twenty year term of the agreement - while incurring no additional debt from the project.