GSA signs 140 MW PPA for wind energy

In the largest wind energy power purchase agreement (PPA) reached to date by the U.S. federal government, the General Services Administration (GSA) has signed a contract with MG2 Tribal Energy under which GSA will take delivery of 140 MW of output from the Walnut Ridge Wind Farm in Illinois. MG2, a partnership between the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians and renewable energy developer Geronimo Energy (Edina, MN), is developing the 225 MW Walnut Ridge facility on 14,500 acres of land in the western part of the state. The parties to the deal said that the PPA will have a direct economic impact of about $47 million on the local area over the next 20 years. “With very limited opportunities to generate revenue on the reservation due to our remote location, the Mesa Grande Band has sought out multiple economic development strategies, including our partnership with Geronimo,” said Mark Romero, chairman of the Mesa Grande Band. “This contract represents an important step forward in the history of the Mesa Grande Band because it is entirely consistent with our historic concern for Mother Earth and the continued availability of clean water, land, and air for future generations.”