Dakotas—a wind developer's dream

Because of their potential as an energy source, the Dakotas have been nicknamed the "Saudi Arabia of wind." Wind developers from as far away as Europe have joined the quest for this perpetual energy source, and more and more farmers and communities are understanding the financial benefits of its development.

Global Winds Harvest, Inc., teamed with UPC Wind Partners, LLC, in planning two joint Dakota wind projects generating about 480 MW with a $500 million price tag. The partners submitted a joint bid in April to Xcel Energy's Northern States Power for projects in Dickey County, N.D., and McPherson County, S.D.

Global Winds is privately owned by engineers from the Renewable Energy Research Laboratory of the University of Massachusetts, principals of its parent company Energy Farming International, AG, and officials from Nordex, a wind turbine manufacturer. GWH was formed to develop utility-scale wind farm projects in the United States.

UPC Group formed UPC Wind Partners. One of Europe's largest wind developers, they arrived on the American energy scene to pursue projects in the United States.

The partnership says landowners are very supportive, especially in light of the area's suffering farm economy. Global Winds Midwest Project Manager Todd Wilen said, "In today's farm economy, wind development allows the farmer to gain a second crop, and his land can still be farmed or ranched."