Batavia officials explore wind power possibilities

Batavia officials will continue their examination of a $30 million wind energy farm as a possible investment in the future.

"We could jump into this tonight and find two years from now it still may not happen," Mayor Jeff Schielke said this week.

Batavia and Geneva are gathering information about a proposed eight-turbine farm in Rochelle. The three communities have formed the Northern Illinois Municipal Power Agency as a means to develop a wind-generation renewable energy project called "Eagle View."

The "participating members" would become owners by sharing in the future development costs, including all of the associated fees. The project would not provide an energy source for Batavia and Geneva. Currently. The vast majority of Batavia's power comes from fossil fuel plants.

The proposed wind turbines would generate power within Rochelle's system, Batavia Public Works Director Gary Holm said.

None of the power will physically go out onto the grid and travel to Batavia and Geneva. The two cities would be putting "green power" into the grid and in exchange receive renewable energy credits. Holm reported to the committee that under current Illinois law public power entities are exempt from renewable energy standards.

Holm said Batavia could keep or market the green credits.

"By keeping the green credits, we are making a commitment to renewable energy," he said. "By marketing the credits we could potentially receive revenue which would help offset some of the cost of the project."

Holm said there are limited opportunities to invest in locally owned projects, unlike purchase power arrangements. The cities will get power from the turbines through a contractual agreement.

The public works director said although city staff has not yet done a lengthy investigation of potential local wind farm sites, they are aware of property owners who have done preliminary studies. But, Batavia and Geneva do not have "as good a wind regime."

"The general rule is the further west, the best the wind regime," he said.

Holm reported that a 60-day deadline is a self-imposed deadline by NIMPA to keep the process moving forward. The city's leaders said they are aware of opposition over the proposed wind farm in Rochelle in Ogle County.