Geronimo Energy-Operated 194 MW Wind Farm to Provide $55 Mn Economic, Social Benefits for Local

The company has a Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPA) for the project with Apple, Akamai Technologies, and Swiss Re, as well as PPA with Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA).

Speaking on the occasion, Kevin Gaden, President & CEO for IMEA, said “we're very pleased to see the Green River Wind Farm achieve commercial operation.”

Gaden added “this resource fits our needs to cost effectively add another carbon-free source while we continue to diversify our portfolio. We are proud to be a part of an Illinois-based project that will bring power to the Member municipalities we serve across the state.”

Akamai, Etsy and Swiss Re previously had limited opportunity to access large renewable energy projects in the regions covered by the 13 state PJM wholesale electric market.

However, after collaborating with Apple, these companies were able to access wind and solar power from the new projects at competitive prices and agreement terms.

The Geronimo Energy developed and operated wind project uses Siemens Gamesa’s wind turbines.

Post operation, the project has started providing positive long-term economic impacts to the local and state communities. It has created eleven new full-time jobs at its O&M building located in Deer Grove, Illinois.

Initially, for the first 20 years of operations, the company is expecting that the project will provide USD 35 million in new tax revenue and USD 20 million in landowner payments.

Commenting on the development, Jennifer Hamilton, Superintendent for the Ohio School District’s Elementary and High Schools, said that “the Green River Wind Farm brings an increase in combined revenue of at least USD 650,000 to the Ohio District boundaries - a more than 15 per cent increase to the operating budgets for both of the Ohio School Districts - and provides the students of Ohio Community Schools and local residents significant benefits.”

Hamilton added that “this new tax revenue generated by Green River allows each District to further our focus on student achievement, continue with our building improvement plans, and reduce our local property tax rate.”