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| Map created by Jon Bowen |
Kewaunee County Wind In 1999 Madison Gas and Electric built 17 wind turbines in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. They were built here because average wind speeds exceed the minimum that is required to turn the wind turbines. If you refer to the Wind Potential of Wisconsin Map you can see that this wind distribution extends through the Door Peninsula. However, Door County specifically wanted to preserve their natural county by not allowing turbines back the Kewaunee and Door County boundaries. Matt Stecker who lives on this boundary says that the wind turbines are the least of his concerns. “The noise is almost obsolete and they are as an eye sore as a tree” he states.
These turbines although now outdated by growing wind technology cut in for energy production at 9 mph and cut out at 56 mph, although those wind speeds are seldom experienced. Each turbine was made in Louisiana and weighs 73.5 tons while towering 213 feet. These turbines have the ability to adjust to the wind direction by mechanically turning their rotors to face the optimal direction.
Seven landowners lease a combined total of 30.5 acres for the actual turbine foundation, transformers, and roads to maintenance the turbines. This project’s total cost totaled $14.5 million dollars and was highly contented by local residence. However, once educated that this could actually help their community farmers were quick to get one on their property. To get a further history and local option check out the video produced by Madison Gas and Electric.
