Construction of the USA's first fresh water offshore wind farm could start in 2012 following the selection of three companies to develop the project by the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (Leedco).
Bechtel Development Company, Cavallo Great Lakes Ohio Wind and Great Lakes Wind Energy are to create a joint venture company that will develop and own the project on Lake Erie. The initial project will be a 20 MW pilot wind farm located 8-16 km from the Cleveland shores.
Leedco believes that up to 1000 MW of wind energy capacity could be in place in the lakes region by 2020. Its President, Dr. Lorry Wagner, said that the selection of a development company to take the project forward was a major step in the development of the USA's offshore wind industry.
“Our ambitious goals demand a world-class execution team,” said Wagner. “With these three major contributors in place as the developer, we now have the talent and broad range of expertise necessary to start this exciting endeavor.”
Earlier in September the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) said in a report that the country's total offshore wind energy capacity stands at 4150 GW.
NREL said that the findings of its report are based on the latest high-resolution maps predicting annual average wind speeds.
Bechtel, Cavallo and GLWEnergy have formed Great Lakes Ohio Wind LLC (GLOW) and estimate that construction could start in late 2012.
The project will be equipped with GE direct-drive wind turbines.
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