Leeward Renewable Energy Completes GSG Wind Repower

By: Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC via Business Wire

January 25, 2024 at 09:00 AM EST

Repowered facility generates 50 percent more clean energy with a smaller footprint and furthers commitment to environmental stewardship

Total generation capacity reaches nearly 300 megawatts across four wind projects in Illinois

Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC (LRE) today announced that it has completed the repowering of its GSG Wind project located in Lee and LaSalle Counties, Illinois. As previously announced, Verizon Communications signed a renewable energy purchase agreement for the project in January 2022.

The 80-megawatt (MW) GSG Wind repower involved decommissioning 40 wind turbines and constructing 26 new turbines. The upgrades utilize the latest GE technology, enhancing turbine capacity, reliability, and performance. GSG Wind will now be able to generate 50 percent more energy with a smaller footprint, creating a more efficient facility with lower operating and maintenance costs.

“We are pleased to complete the repower of GSG Wind, which has been in LRE’s portfolio since 2007, and expand our presence in Illinois, where we now have nearly 300 MW of generating capacity,” said Jason Allen, LRE’s Chief Executive Officer. “The GSG Wind repowering is a perfect example of our ability to produce a greater volume of clean energy with a much smaller footprint, as well as our commitment to being a good steward of the land, environment, and community. LRE has been part of Lee and LaSalle counties for nearly two decades, and we look forward to continuing to support the community in the years to come.”

The GSG Wind repowering created approximately 180 jobs at peak construction and will provide long-term renewable energy jobs in Lee and LaSalle Counties. As part of LRE’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the Company recycled or reused 100 percent of the decommissioned wind turbines, keeping more than 600 tons of metal and fiberglass out of public landfills. The recycled wind turbines are repurposed for various applications, from concrete and mortar reinforcement fibers to different uses at steel mills.

“LRE continues to be an excellent partner to Verizon and has been instrumental in allowing us to meet our sustainability goals,” said Verizon SVP, Global Supply Chain & Sourcing, and Chief Sustainability Officer, Jim Gowen. “We are impressed by its innovative approach to the repowering of GSG Wind, which will help further our commitments to protecting our planet and enabling a sustainable energy transition in the United States.”

“The economic benefits from the GSG Wind Farm have been a great help to the local community, providing better-equipped fire departments, safer roads, and better schools,” said Steve Gilmore, Village of Compton Fire Chief and Village Trustee.

About Leeward Renewable Energy

Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) is a high-growth renewable energy company building a sustainable future for all. The company owns and operates a portfolio of 31 wind, solar, and energy storage facilities across the United States, totaling approximately 3 gigawatts of generating capacity and is actively developing and contracting a robust pipeline of new renewable energy projects. LRE takes a tailored, full-lifecycle approach to its projects, which is underpinned by its long-term ownership model and purpose-driven culture that is dedicated to benefiting its community partners while protecting and enhancing the environment. LRE is a portfolio company of OMERS Infrastructure, an investment arm of OMERS, one of the largest defined pension plans in Canada, with C$127.4 billion in net assets (as at June 30, 2023). For more information, visit www.leewardenergy.com.