Wind Energy Generation in
Nebraska

According to the American Wind Energy Association, Nebraska is ranked fourth in wind energy resources in the nation. In 2013, nearly 1.8 billion kilowatthours were generated by utility–scale wind energy in Nebraska (see graph, Table 1, and Table 2). A map is available showing the Wind Energy Generation Facilities in Nebraska. Nebraska has 422 operational wind turbines with a total capacity of 734.78 megawatts (or 734,780 kilowatts for comparison purposes). The average annual output could power about 244,880 homes. The turbines are located on thirteen sites:

• The 43–turbine Broken Bow II Wind Farm near Broken Bow was completed in the summer of 2014 by Sempra U.S. Gas & Power. Maximum capacity will be 75,000 kilowatts (or 75 megawatts). The average annual output could power 30,000 homes at full capacity. Nebraska Public Power District has committed to buy the total 75 megawatts and will keep 30 megawatts but sell 45 megawatts to Omaha Public Power District. Commercial operation began October, 2014.
• The 118–turbine Prairie Breeze Wind Energy Farm located in Antelope, Boone, and Madison counties began commercial operation in March 2014. Maximum capacity is 200 megawatts. The average annual output could power 60,000 homes. Omaha Public Power District has committed to buy the total 200 megawatts.
• The 44–turbine Steele Flats Wind Farm between Steele City and Odell began commercial operation on November 1, 2013. Each turbine has a maximum capacity of 1.7 megawatts for a total of 74,800 kilowatts (or 74.8 megawatts). The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 19,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). Nebraska Public Power District has committed to buy the total output but will sell 30 megawatts of renewable energy credits from the farm to BD (Becton, Dickinson Company).
• The 50–turbine Broken Bow I Wind Farm in Custer County began commercial operation on December 1, 2012. Each turbine has a maximum capacity of 1.6 megawatts for a total of 80 megawatts. The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 25,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). The participants in the wind farm are: Nebraska Public Power District (51 megawatts); Omaha Public Power District (18 megawatts); Lincoln Electric System (10 megawatts); and the City of Grand Island (1 megawatt).
• The 14–turbine Crofton Bluffs Wind Farm southwest of Crofton began commercial operation in November, 2012. Total capacity is 42 megawatts. The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 12,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). The participants in the wind farm are: Nebraska Public Power District (20 megawatts); Omaha Public Power District (13 megawatts); the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (4 megawatts); and Lincoln Electric System (3 megawatts).
• The 27–turbine Petersburg Wind Farm began commercial operation October 31, 2011. Total capacity is 40.5 megawatts. The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 12,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). Omaha Public Power District has committed to buy the total 40.5 megawatts.
• Springview II Wind Energy Facility is the name of Nebraska Public Power District's two new turbines installed near Springview which began operation in 2011. Maximum capacity is 3,000 kilowatts (or 3 megawatts), and the average annual output could power 380 homes. The six partners are: Nebraska Public Power District, Omaha Public Power District, Lincoln Electric System, the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, Grand Island Utilities, and KBR Rural Public Power District.
• The 40–turbine Flat Water Wind Farm near Humboldt in Richardson County began commercial operation at the end of 2010. Each turbine has a maximum capacity of 1.5 megawatts for a total of 60 megawatts. The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 19,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). Omaha Public Power District has committed to buy the total 60 megawatts.
• The 54–turbine Laredo Ridge Wind Farm near Petersburg in Boone County began commercial operation in November of 2010. Each turbine has a maximum capacity of 1.5 megawatts for a total of 81 megawatts. The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 26,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). The four participants in the wind farm are: Nebraska Public Power District (61 megawatts), Lincoln Electric System (10 megawatts), Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (8 megawatts), and the City of Grand Island (1 megawatt).
• The 27–turbine Elkhorn Ridge Wind Farm at Bloomfield began commercial operation on March 1, 2009. Each turbine has a maximum capacity of 3 megawatts for a total of 81 megawatts. The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 25,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). The Nebraska utilities that will buy electricity from Elkhorn Ridge through Nebraska Public Power District include: Omaha Public Power District (25 megawatts); Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (8 megawatts); Lincoln Electric System (6 megawatts); and the city of Grand Island (1 megawatt).
• With the addition of the Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility, Nebraska's wind energy generation more than doubled in 2005 from 2004 and nearly tripled in 2006 from 2005. The 36–turbine wind facility near Ainsworth began commercial operation on October 1, 2005. Each turbine has a maximum capacity of 1,650 kilowatts for a total of 59,400 kilowatts (or 59.4 megawatts). The average annual output could power 19,000 homes. The five participants in the wind facility are: Nebraska Public Power District (32 megawatts), Omaha Public Power District (10 megawatts), Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (7 megawatts), Grand Island Utilities (1 megawatt), and the Jacksonville Electric Authority (10 megawatts), based in Florida. The Jacksonville utility will not receive power but will receive renewable energy credits for its participation in this project.
• Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) installed seven turbines on a farm located near Kimball. The wind farm began operation in October 2002. With the addition of the Kimball Wind Farm, Nebraska's wind energy generation more than doubled in 2002 from 2001 and again more than doubled in 2003 from 2002. Maximum capacity of the Kimball Wind Farm is 10,500 kilowatts (or 10.5 megawatts) and the average annual output could power 2,000 homes.
• Omaha Public Power District and Valmont Industries installed one turbine by Valley which began operation on December 21, 2001. The maximum capacity of the Valley Station turbine is 660 kilowatts (or 0.66 megawatt), and the average annual output could power 150 homes.
• Lincoln Electric System installed two turbines in an area called Salt Valley located north of Lincoln; the first turbine began operation on December 17, 1998, and the second turbine began operation on October 27, 1999. The maximum capacity of the Salt Valley turbines is 1,320 kilowatts (or 1.32 megawatts). The average annual output could power 350 homes.

Energy generated by wind power is estimated to be 1.1 percent of Nebraska's energy consumption in 2011 and 2.9 percent of the electricity generated in 2011. (The year 2011 is the most recent year that data is provided for consumption.)

For more information, see the Wind Farms in Nebraska map, the Generating Units report, the Units and Capacity by Energy Source and Year of Initial Operation report, and the Units and Capacity by Energy Source report.

• The Grande Prairie Wind Farm is expected to begin commercial operation near O'Neill in 2015. Maximum capacity will be 400 megawatts. The average annual output could power 118,000 homes. Omaha Public Power District is planning to add the 400 megawatts to their portfolio.

• The 47–turbine Verdigre Wind Farm near Verdigre will be constructed by the Verdigre Land and Wind Partners. Maximum capacity will be 81,500 kilowatts (or 81.5 megawatts). The average annual output could power 25,000 homes. Commercial operation is projected to begin in 2015.

• Six turbines are planned for the Burt County Wind Farm between Oakland and Tekamah. Maximum capacity will be 12 megawatts. The average annual output could power 3,750 homes.
• Up to 54 turbines are planned for the Burr Ridge Wind Farm in Otoe County. Maximum capacity will be 80,000 kilowatts (or 80 megawatts).
• Up to 54 turbines are planned for the Conestoga Wind Farm which will be located 3 miles south and west of Murray. Maximum capacity will be 80,000 kilowatts (or 80 megawatts).
• Approximately 600 turbines are planned for the North Fork Wind Farm which will be located in southeast Knox County and southwest Cedar County. Maximum capacity will be 1,200,000–1,500,000 kilowatts (1,200–1,500 megawatts).
• Approximately 1,000 turbines are planned for the Wildcat Ridge Wind Farm which will be located in Banner County. Maximum capacity will be 1,500,000–2,000,000 kilowatts (1,500–2,000 megawatts).
• One hundred forty–seven (147) turbines are to be constructed from July 2018 to July 2020 by Bluestem Energy Solutions. The turbines will be located in southeast Cherry County near Thedford.
• Fifty–two (52) turbines are planned for the Cottonwood Wind Project which will be located three miles south of the City of Blue Hill in Webster County. Maximum capacity will be 89,500 kilowatts (89.5 megawatts). The turbines are to be constructed in the spring of 2015 by NextEra Energy Resources and be completed by the end of 2015.

• Nebraska Public Power District installed two turbines near Springview and began operation in October 1998. (The numbers in the table below for December 1998 are totals for October, November, and December.) The Springview turbines were released for full power operation in late January 1999. Maximum capacity was 1,500 kilowatts, and the average annual output could power 380 homes. The six co–owners were: City of Auburn (2 percent), City of Grand Island (2 percent), KBR Rural Public Power District (1 percent), Lincoln Electric System (29 percent), the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (5 percent), and Nebraska Public Power District (61 percent). KBR Rural Public Power District operated the turbines. The Springview wind turbines were decommissioned, and the last generation data was reported for August, 2007. The main reasons to retire the Springview units were the lack of available replacement parts, significant maintenance issues as the units aged, and the opportunity to sell the turbines at an attractive price.