Members in the White Lake area may soon notice activity taking place across the local landscape. Basin Electric Power Cooperative, a power supplier of Central Electric, is working to repower its wind turbines in North Dakota and South Dakota by the end of 2027 in support of its all-of-the-above energy strategy.
The 108-turbine Crow Lake Wind project near White Lake will undergo major improvements as part of this initiative. With the existing blades starting to reach the end of their useful life in 2030, it was determined that repowering is the best option.
“Repowering wind turbines includes installation of new larger blades, a new hub gearbox, main shaft, a generator refurbishment as well as some upgrades to the electrical controls,” said Doug Bradford, senior mechanical engineer at Basin Electric.
Upgrading the turbines with new technology and equipment will improve performance, allowing them to produce more electricity at a lower wind speed. The foundation and towers will remain in place. The removed blades will be shredded and used for concrete fill.
Repowering the turbines will keep them running for another 20 years and produce low-cost electricity for Basin Electric’s membership.
The repowering project will also ensure Crow Lake Wind continues to generate tax revenues for the citizens of South Dakota. Basin Electric pays taxes based on Crow Lake Wind’s nameplate capacity and its electrical production. Each year, the Crow Lake Wind project contributes more than $700,000 to the tax base, and those dollars flow to the state, school districts, counties and townships.
Basin Electric expects to start roadwork for the project in 2027. Construction will begin in June 2027, and the repowering project is expected to be complete by the end of 2027.
Central Electric members may be contacted by Basin Electric representatives as the repowering project moves forward. We sincerely value your ongoing partnership. By working together, we can continue to support Basin Electric’s all-of-the-above energy strategy.
Project Overview
Basin Electric is undertaking a repowering project for Crow Lake Wind to increase generation and extend the facility’s life.
Crow Lake Wind’s 108 turbines began operating in 2011. The facility is an important part of the cooperative’s generation portfolio, with current capacity of about 170 megawatts (MW).
Each 1.6MW GE Turbine will receive new 45-meter long blades (increasing overall blade diameter by 20 meters), complete hub, main shaft, main bearing assembly, gearbox and generator refurbishment.
The existing foundation and tower will remain in place. The removed blades will be shredded and used for concrete fill.