Willmar, Minn., Utilities' north wind turbine back on line

WILLMAR — The Willmar Municipal Utilities north wind turbine resumed operation Tuesday morning after repairs were made to a failed heating unit in the hub controller.

The north turbine and the nearby south turbine are located just north of Willmar Senior High School on County Road 9 Northeast.

Jon Folkedahl, utility supervisor of power production, said the north turbine went out of service Saturday evening. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, the turbine was back on line and producing energy, he said. Repairs were made by technicians from DeWind, the company that built the turbines.

The two turbines were commissioned on Sept. 3, 2009, and each produces 2 megawatts of energy at full production. Willmar Utilities 2012 fall newsletter said the turbines’ performance in the third full year of operation has improved significantly from the last two years.

During the second year, the units produced 7,400 megawatt hours of power. During the third year, the turbines produced 8,500 megawatt hours, which is enough to power 1,000 homes, based on an average consumption of 700 kilowatt hours per month.