In March, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS) announced a letter of intent to co-develop and acquire the first 150 MW phase of High Country Energy’s wind development. High Country and WPS held a press conference at the Oaks Country Club in Hayfield on March 14, 2008 to announce the exciting partnership. The press conference was well-attended both by landowners and by local media. Since then, Wisconsin Public Service and High Country have been tirelessly working together to finalize important project details.

High Country and WPS have come to a conclusion on the final lease terms for the Wisconsin Public Service portion of our footprint. With final lease terms in hand, National Wind field specialists have been meeting with landowners in the potential footprint area to sign up the final landowners for this phase of the project.

Meanwhile, National Wind Assessments has been measuring and assessing the wind resource for the High Country footprint. Thorough study and assessment is necessary to capture the best winds in the footprint and contribute to the project’s electricity production and income.
Both National Wind and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation are optimistic about acquiring the wind rights in the most-favored footprint area.

“The High Country project will be an essential part of our renewable energy portfolio,” said Eric Corroy, Renewable Energy Manager at WPS, “We are committed to this project because we wholeheartedly believe in its potential for success.”

Wisconsin Public Service’s commitment is also apparent in the utility’s continued negotiations with High Country Energy to purchase this phase of development. According to the letter of intent, WPS plans to acquire the 150 MW phase of High Country through an asset sale.

The WPS footprint will likely be the first phase of High Country Energy to be constructed, so many landowners are eager to find out if they will be included in the final project footprint. High Country and Wisconsin Public Service expect to finalize the footprint for High Country’s first 150 MW before the end of this year.

Read more stories from the Fall 2008 newsletter