DeKalb County wind farm to be completed this fall

AMITY, Mo. (AP) - The construction of a wind farm in DeKalb County is on pace to be completed this fall.

Next Era Energy Resources is working on a 97-turbine wind farm that will be able to produce 200 megawatts of electricity, the St. Joseph News-Press reports. Kansas City Power & Light will purchase the electricity.

The idea for a wind farm was proposed in 2008. Once the turbines become operational, the land will remain in agricultural use.

According to Next Era construction manager Josh Tran, work on the wind farm began in May, with plans calling for the units' foundations to be completed in a month. Work is scheduled to be completed at the end of November.

Next Era has given $2.6 million to the Missouri Department of Transportation to help defray the costs of repairs to roads and bridges that have been damaged by heavy trucks during construction. More than $4.2 million has been invested to improve the affected country roads.

Next Era has also worked with rural electric cooperatives to coordinate the moves of power lines near the turbines. The company has also coordinated with the Missouri Highway Patrol and local school districts to bring hardware to the farm.