LRE projects transform wind into clean, renewable energy that powers communities, reduces carbon emissions, and drives a sustainable, energy–independent future.
Harness The Winds Of Change
With an unwavering commitment to responsible development, landscape preservation, and reliable energy production, LRE’s unmatched planning and operational expertise makes the changeover to wind power more seamless.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
We take responsible development seriously. Our wind projects are designed with end-to-end sustainability in mind, which extends to our partners, suppliers, and waste management. Decommissioned wind turbines and blades from LRE wind projects are recycled into new materials such as the reinforcing fibers used to strengthen concrete, and steel recycling that is used in NEXTracker’s solar tracking technology.
INNOVATIVE DESIGN METHODS
We work with the latest technologies in design and modeling to develop wind projects that maximize energy production while minimizing environmental impact. Strategic layouts preserve the surrounding visual landscape, detailed modeling scenarios determine ideal turbine placement, and decades of expertise bring it all together effectively.
UNMATCHED SAFETY STANDARDS
At LRE, safety drives our decisions. Rigorous training programs, fully vetted contractors and suppliers, and a goal of zero workplace health & safety incidents demonstrate how we prioritize the health and safety of our workforce and contractors above all.
HIGH-QUALITY JOBS
We do more than just create high-quality jobs – we establish long-lasting careers in clean energy. LRE-operated wind projects in the U.S. contribute to thriving local economies, support domestic production and labor, and train a resilient workforce ready to address the future of sustainable energy.
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
Long-term relationships with landowners and local communities let nearby residents know we’re respectful of their land and the places they call home. We focus on transparency in information disclosure, open communication, and proactive support of meaningful community causes and organizations.
DOMESTIC SUPPLY CHAINS
We secure ethically sourced materials for our supply chain and rely on our partnerships and our best-in-class team to deliver our projects. Our development centers around American-made products, which supports American manufacturing and reduces the risk of supply chain disruptions.
Our Wind Projects
WIND PROJECT
Mendota Hills Wind
Lee County, Illinois
Leeward Renewable Energy’s (LRE) Mendota Hills Wind project is located near Paw Paw, Illinois. Originally commissioned in 2003, the project was the first utility–scale wind project in the state of Illinois, and it was originally comprised of 63 Gamesa G52 0.8 MW wind turbine generators. In 2019, we repowered the project with SiemensGamesa G126 2.625 MW units, reducing the number of turbines to 29 but increasing the nameplate capacity to 76 MW. The repowered project interconnects to ComEd in the PJM Interconnection. We sell the output from project under a long–term virtual power purchase agreement to Digital Realty Trust.
WIND PROJECT
Buena Vista Energy
Contra Costa County, California
Leeward Renewable Energy’s (LRE) Buena Vista Energy project is situated on approximately 1,000 acres near Byron, California, and reached commercial operation in 2006. With a nameplate capacity of 38 MW, the project is comprised of 38 Mitsubishi 1000A 1.0 MW wind turbine generators and interconnects to PG&E’s transmission system in CAISO. We sell the output from the Buena Vista Energy project to Peninsula Clean Energy.
WIND PROJECT
Cedar Creek Wind Energy
Weld County, Colorado
Leeward Renewable Energy’s (LRE) Cedar Creek Wind Energy project is situated on 32,000 acres in Grover, Colorado, and reached commercial operation in 2007. With a nameplate capacity of 301 MW, the project is comprised of 221 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 1000 1.0 MW wind turbine generators, and 53 GE 1.5 MW wind turbine generators. The project developed and jointly owns a 72–mile generator tie line and interconnects to Xcel Energy’s Public Service Company of Colorado transmission system. PSCo purchases output from the Cedar Creek project under a long–term power purchase agreement.
Wind Projects FAQ
What makes wind energy a sustainable solution for modernizing the energy grid?
Wind energy updates energy infrastructure without depleting natural resources or adding long-term environmental burdens. Aging power plants rely on finite fuels, while wind harnesses a renewable resource to generate electricity with no fuel costs and no direct air pollution. LRE wind projects are designed for efficiency and longevity, built to deliver reliable power today and well into the future. For more information, explore our Sustainability page.
What are the benefits of replacing aging energy systems with wind power?
Updating aging infrastructure with modern wind energy reduces the risk of equipment failures, outages, and costly emergency repairs related to decades-old power plants. LRE wind projects are built to today’s safety, efficiency, and performance standards, while cutting emissions, so communities get dependable power and a cleaner energy future.
Are wind energy solutions a reliable source of power?
Generating energy via wind power has been in practice for more than 150 years. From early windmills to modern turbines, wind has been a reliable source of power when deployed in locations specifically selected for suitability. All of LRE’s wind projects in the U.S. are located in areas with proven wind speeds, resulting in reliable renewable energy production. Co-location with LRE’s energy storage systems keeps energy output consistent even when the wind is not blowing at full strength.
Do wind installations negatively impact property values?
Thoughtful site selection and community-focused planning make LRE’s wind projects in the U.S. as unobtrusive as possible. Research shows that utility-scale wind power facilities do not have widespread, long-term impacts on nearby property values. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy’s WINDExchange program studied thousands of home sales near wind projects and found that “if property value impacts existed, they were too small and/or too infrequent to result in any widespread, statistically observable impact.”
Are wind turbines noisy?
Wind turbines are not silent, but they are not loud. Most utility-scale wind turbines generate a gentle “swishing” sound of 35 -45 dB when heard from 300 meters away. This volume is on par with that of a refrigerator.
Are wind turbines harmful to the environment?
Wind turbines have a lower environmental impact than most other sources of energy production. In addition, responsible development is a core value of our company. LRE collaborates with landowners, ecologists, soil experts, and community planning commissions to carefully select locations and ensure that our wind projects in the U.S. do not excessively interfere with nature. We also operate and maintain our facilities, monitoring and servicing our equipment regularly to ensure all systems are running safely, reliably, and as intended.
What happens to decommissioned turbines?
Our decommissioned turbines are recycled into new materials such as the reinforcing fibers used to strengthen concrete and steel recycling used in NEXTracker’s solar tracking technology. We recycle 100% of our turbine blades, and so far, we have kept more than 3,300 tons of turbine materials out of landfills.
Let’s build sustainable solutions together.
Let us show you how responsible renewable energy projects from LRE generate jobs and deliver reliable power for generations to come.
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