Mortenson Starts Construction of Rim Rock Wind Project
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (January 9, 2012) – Mortenson Construction was recently selected by San Francisco-based developer, NaturEner, for the construction of the Rim Rock Wind Project. Located on nearly 21,000 acres approximately 20 miles north of NaturEner's Glacier I and 2 Wind projects, previously constructed by Mortenson, Rim Rock will generate189-megawatts of wind power -- enough energy to power approximately 66,000 homes.
Mortenson is responsible for the design and construction of access roads, foundations, erection of 126 Acciona 1.5-megawatt turbines, overhead and underground electrical collection system, (2) 230kV substations, the generator tie line, and an O&M facility. Construction began late October, proceeding through the winter months and is expected to be complete in October, 2012.
Montana’s wind attributes are unique to the industry. According to AWEA, the state is ranked third in the US for potential wind generating capacity, with more than 944,000 megawatts available for production. This much wind energy could produce more than 210 times the state’s current electricity needs. Along with Montana’s vast wind resources, the siting for this project was selected because of the ease of access to the property and the business-friendly development atmosphere in this part of Montana.
“Mortenson is excited and pleased to have been selected by NaturEner to construct their third project in the area. We are also very excited to return to the communities where our team members and community members had such a positive experience constructing the Glacier I and 2 Wind projects,” said Kevin Deters, a general manager for Mortenson’s Renewable Energy Groups.
Since entering the renewable energy market in 1995, Mortenson Construction has become a leading builder of wind power facilities in North America, constructing more than 100 wind projects generating more than 11,000 megawatts of renewable power across the United States and Canada. With 100 percent of Mortenson’s business in the power sector coming from renewable energy, Engineering News-Record ranked Mortenson the 11th largest power contractor in the U.S. for 2010. In addition to wind power, Mortenson’s Renewable Energy Groups, also construct facilities that generate solar power, biofuels and hydro-electric power.
About Mortenson Construction
Founded in 1954, Mortenson Construction is a U.S.-based, family-owned construction company. Ranked as the 19th largest contractor in America, according to Engineering News-Record, Mortenson provides a complete range of services, including planning, program management, preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, design-build, and turn-key development. Mortenson has offices in Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Phoenix, and Seattle with international operations in Canada and China. For more information, please visit www.mortenson.com/wind
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