The NorthStar Wind Farms are a community-owned wind energy project based upon the concept of local, shared ownership and has the support of area landowners. Area investors have partnered with National Wind, to form and capitalize Emmet County Energy, LLC. Emmet County Energy owns the NorthStar Wind Farms.

Emmet County Energy continues to accept new investments from landowners interested in the project. Under the shared ownership structure, everybody is an owner/partner in the wind farm and shares in the generated revenue from the project. Some of the members who have invested in this project and now serve on the Members Advisory Committee are: Al Blum, Bill Sanderson, Bob Schacherer, Dave McBreen, and Paul Love.

Be sure to check out the “project news” section for the latest information of this wind farm’s progress.

NorthStar Wind Farms

The Location:

The North Star Wind Farms are located in rural north central Iowa just south of the Minnesota border. The project area comprises 48 square miles of agricultural land in northwestern Emmet and northeastern Dickinson, Counties.

The Land:

This area of the two counties is characterized by undulating topography and scattered farmsteads. The project area is accessed near Iowa State Highway 9, which runs east/west through the area’s southern portion. U.S. Highway 71 is on the western edge of the project area. The land is substantially owned by local farmers, many of whom are investors and are supportive of the project.

The Size:

-Output capacity in excess of 200 MW's (megawatts) -Provides enough energy to generate electricity 60,000 homes annually

-Displaces almost 500 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually

Number of Turbines:

The project will contain up to 95 sites for the 2.1 MW turbines

The Ownership Structure:

Local participation and ownership is the central theme to the NorthStar Wind Farms. Local ownership and development of the project requires a cooperative approach of a large contingent of area agricultural producers. Emmet County Energy, LLC was formed and capitalized to develop and finance the NorthStar Wind Farms. By its participatory nature, the NorthStar Wind Farms draw the local community together. A majority of the profits made from this project will be returned to our local stakeholders.

The Commercial Operation Date:

Emmet County Energy is working with several prospective utilities that may buy energy from the project. Based on development, transmission and construction schedules, the first three phases of the project may come “on-line” during 2009. Overall, the project is expected to develop in three or four phases over the next five years.