Wind Power
Wind Power Overview
For companies that make their living in the wind industry, Minnesota is the place to build a North American manufacturing and distribution base.
Minnesota ranks third in the nation in wind power generation, according to Business Facilities magazine's 2010 Rankings Report.
But it takes a whole lot more than a sufficient supply of air to succeed in the growing and highly competitive wind industry. It takes the right combination of natural and business resources. And Minnesota has everything you need.
The state offers wind energy manufacturers and service providers several key advantages:
- A superb wind resource
- A strong commitment to renewable energy
- A well-developed wind industry and wind-power supply chain
- A central North American location, close to states and Canadian provinces with the greatest wind energy potential
- Exceptional transportation infrastructure
- A skilled labor force and an outstanding educational system
Superb Wind Resource
When it comes to the raw material necessary to keep the industry spinning, Minnesota and surrounding states have the best winds in the country. We're among the nation's best for the strength and reliability of our winds.
Here’s how we rank compared to our neighbors in wind resource (2010):
|
State
|
U.S. Rank
|
Midwest Rank
|
|
Kansas
|
2
|
1
|
|
Nebraska
|
4
|
2
|
|
South Dakota
|
5
|
3
|
|
North Dakota
|
6
|
4
|
|
Iowa
|
7
|
5
|
|
Minnesota
|
11
|
6
|
|
Missouri
|
13
|
7
|
|
Illinois
|
14
|
8
|
|
Indiana
|
15
|
9
|
|
Wisconsin
|
16
|
10
|
|
Michigan
|
17
|
11
|
|
Ohio
|
18
|
12
|
Source: American Wind Energy Association
Strong Commitment to Renewable Energy
The state's commitment to wind can be seen in several ways. Minnesota ranks second nationwide in the percentage of electricity produced from wind (9.4 percent), according to the American Wind Energy Association.
The association also ranked the state fourth in installed wind capacity at 2,192 megawatts in 2010, and fifth in capacity added the same year at 396 megawatts.
Minnesota's Renewable Energy Standard, one of the strongest in the country, requires the state's utilities to get at least one-fourth of their power from renewable sources by the year 2025. The requirement is 30 percent for Minnesota's largest utility, Xcel Energy.
The state's commitment is also illustrated by its Community-Based Energy Development program, which promotes local ownership of wind turbines and by sponsorship of wind-related projects and research at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
Minnesota's commitment to wind energy is paying off. In 2009, wind energy had a great impact on the state's economy and environment:
- Total direct and indirect jobs supported: 2,000 to 3,000
- Annual property tax payments by wind owners: More than $6 million
- Annual land lease payments: $7 million
- Annual carbon dioxide avoided: More than 4.3 million metric tons
- Number of homes powered by wind farms: 630,000
Source: American Wind Energy Association.
Central North American Location
Minnesota is within 500 to 1,000 miles of several leading wind energy states and the major Canadian provinces focused on wind power.
Other states in the Midwest and Canadian provinces have strong renewable mandates, too, leaving Minnesota manufacturers well positioned to sell regionally as well as globally.
Exceptional Transportation Infrastructure
Our world-class system of ports, railroads and highways will get your products to market quickly, easily and inexpensively
The Port of Duluth handles a significant portion of sea-based transportation of turbines and wind-related machinery.
- The Port of Duluth handled nearly a million freight tons of wind energy cargo between 2005 and 2010.
- Most of the wind energy cargo was inbound from manufacturers in Germany, Denmark, and Spain for delivery to projects in the Upper Midwest.
- The Port of Duluth also served projects in Montana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wyoming.
- Additionally, the Port handled outbound shipments of blades manufactured in the Midwest to Spain, Canada, Brazil and Chile.
- Four Class 1 railroads connect the Port of Duluth to the rest of the continental United States.
- Three major interstate highways crisscross the state, intersecting in the Twin Cities and in southern Minnesota.
Well-Developed Wind Industry And Wind-Power Supply Chain
Many Minnesota companies are involved in the wind industry. Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy buys more wind power than any other utility. The state is headquarters to the nation's top wind farm builder, M.A. Mortenson Construction. The largest wind turbine trucking company, Anderson, is headquartered in Minnesota.
The state's wind-related supply chain boasts more than 100 companies producing fabricated structural metal, plastics and composite fabrication, turbines, motors, printed circuits, and other components.
Several law firms in the Twin Cities have national reputations for expertise and experience in wind power law. St. Paul's WindLogics helps site many wind farms around the world.
Skilled Labor Force and an Exceptional Education System
From highly educated engineers to highly trained and skilled manufacturing workers, we’ve got the workforce you’ll need to succeed.
The 2010 Business Facilities Ranking Report ranks Minnesota ninth among all states for workforce health and safety. Minnesota also boasts one of the nation's manufacturing sectors, with more than 300,100 workers.
Minnesota's education system is also among the best in the country. There are 180 public and private postsecondary institutions in the state. Learn more about higher education in Minnesota.
More importantly, Minnesota's colleges and universities granted over 8,200 degrees and other awards in environment and energy related fields.
Environment and Energy Related Degrees
Conferred by Minnesota Postsecondary Institutions (2007-2008)
Field Number of Graduates
Natural Resources and Conservation 460
Environmental Design/Architecture Fields 319
Engineering 1,646
Engineering Technical Degrees 1,220
Physical Sciences 840
Construction Trades 1,481
Mechanical and Repair Technical Degrees 1,403
Precision Production 535
Transportation and Materials Moving 308
TOTAL 8,212
Source: Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
To respond to the growing need for renewable energy, Minnesota state colleges and universities are now offering degrees tailored to serve these industries:
Program Award
Clean Energy Systems Technician Certificate
Energy Technical Specialist Associate Degree in Applied Science
Renewable Energy Systems Technologist Certificate
Renewable Energy Technology Associate Degree in Applied Science
Sustainable Environment Technologies Associate Degree in Applied Science
Wind Energy Certificate
Wind Energy Mechanic Diploma
Wind Energy Technology Associate Degree in Applied Science
Wind Energy Technician Diploma
Windsmith Certificate
Source: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.