Cloud County Wind Farm — 201 MW Wind

The Cloud County Wind Farm stands as a significant player in the United States’ renewable energy landscape, ranked #1365 among the country’s 10,047 power generation facilities. With a generation capacity of 201 MW, it is also noted as the 130th largest wind plant among 1,142 similar facilities in the nation. This position underscores its role in a country where gas remains the dominant fuel source, contributing to just 0.01% of the national capacity of 1,386,385 MW. Commissioned in 2009 and operated by Cloud County Windfarm LLC, this facility harnesses wind energy through advanced turbine technology, converting kinetic energy from the wind into electrical energy, which is then fed into the grid. Located in a region with a sparse population of wind plants, the nearest facilities include the Clifton Gas Plant (87.5 MW), Beloit Oil Plant (19.3 MW), Belleville Oil Plant (14.3 MW), and the Minneapolis City Gas Plant (9.1 MW). This proximity to diverse fuel types highlights the Cloud County Wind Farm’s unique position in a grid that is predominantly powered by gas. In a state where the average capacity per plant is significantly higher due to the prevalence of larger gas and coal plants, the Cloud County Wind Farm’s contribution is modest yet vital for diversifying the energy mix. As the U.S. continues to shift towards renewable energy sources, this wind farm exemplifies the potential for wind energy development in local economies, offering not only sustainable power but also economic benefits and job creation in the surrounding communities.