Juhl Wind Inc. (OTCBB: JUHL), the Leader in Community Wind Power, announced the official commercial operation date of the $3.6 million Winona County Wind Project in Winona County, MN.
The Winona County Wind project is one of the first sites in North America to utilize two Unison, direct-drive wind turbine generators, a leading technology based on an advanced, gearless system. The project was developed and constructed by Juhl Energy Development Inc., the wholly-owned, development subsidiary of Juhl Wind, Inc. In addition, Juhl Renewable Asset Investment Inc. is the project's majority equity owner as Juhl adds the Winona County Wind Project to its portfolio alongside the recently acquired 10 MW Woodstock Hills Wind Farm.
"Completion of the Winona County Wind Project is the result of a great team of professionals working together to build this project over the course of three years," stated Corey Juhl, VP of Project Development of Juhl Wind, Inc. "We truly could not have completed this project if it wasn't for the help of the Winona County Economic Development Authority, and the patience of the family who owns the property on which the project is situated, it was a total team effort. This project has already provided significant economic benefits to Winona County in the form of construction jobs and maintenance employment opportunities and will continue to provide these benefits over the long-term."
"It is significant for Juhl Wind investors to note our investment in the Winona County project," added John Mitola, President of Juhl Wind Inc. "Our decision to become the majority owner and operator of this project is consistent with our stated plan to continue to add renewable assets to our balance sheet. Winona becomes our second wind farm system following our acquisition of Woodstock Hills. In this way, Juhl participates in development proceeds, construction work and ongoing electricity sales. Furthermore, we also typically provide long-term operation, maintenance and administrative services on projects we own through our Juhl Energy Services subsidiary - as we have done here at Winona and at Woodstock Hills. This reflects the very definitive plan to use our expertise, experience and personnel in all stages of wind farm development and operation."
"Our Winona County project is now the fifth wind project we have completed in the past 24 months," stated Dan Juhl, Chairman and CEO of Juhl Wind Inc. "We will soon be announcing the results of a sixth project before the end of 2011. We believe this represents an unprecedented level of performance for a company of our size and it is driving strong financial results like those we reported at the end of the 3rd Quarter. These recently completed projects include Adams Wind, Danielson Wind, Grant County Wind, Woodstock Municipal Wind and Winona County Wind, representing over 62 megawatts and almost $125 million in capital development. We have fully developed, managed construction and brought most of these projects into full-service over the past two years and will be wrapping up work on all of them in the last quarter of this year."