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State Energy Information

Wind Energy Generation in Nebraska


In 2023, Nebraska ranked twelfth (12th) in installed wind capacity, based on the latest figures. A map is available showing the Wind Development in Nebraska with total megawatt capacity.


Nebraska Facilities

  • Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility: With the addition of the Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility in Brown County, Nebraska's wind energy generation more than doubled in 2005 from 2004 and nearly tripled in 2006 from 2005. The 36–turbine wind facility near Ainsworth began commercial operation on October 1, 2005. Each turbine has a maximum capacity of 1,650 kilowatts for a total of 59,400 kilowatts (or 59.4 megawatts). The average annual output could power 19,000 homes. The five participants in the wind facility are Nebraska Public Power District (32 megawatts), Omaha Public Power District (10 megawatts), Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (7 megawatts), Grand Island Utilities (1 megawatt), and the Jacksonville Electric Authority (10 megawatts), based in Florida. The Jacksonville utility will not receive power but will receive renewable energy credits for its participation in this project.
  • Broken Bow I Wind Farm: The 50–turbine Broken Bow I Wind Farm in Custer County began commercial operation on December 1, 2012. Maximum capacity is 77,600 kilowatts (or 77.6 megawatts). The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 25,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). The participants in the wind farm are the Nebraska Public Power District (51 megawatts); the Omaha Public Power District (18 megawatts); the Lincoln Electric System (10 megawatts); and the City of Grand Island (1 megawatt).
  • Broken Bow II Wind Farm: The 43–turbine Broken Bow II Wind Farm near Broken Bow in Custer County was completed in the summer of 2014 by Sempra U.S. Gas & Power. Maximum capacity is 75,000 kilowatts (or 75 megawatts). The average annual output could power 30,000 homes at full capacity. Nebraska Public Power District has committed to buy the total 75 megawatts and will keep 30 megawatts but sell 45 megawatts to Omaha Public Power District. Commercial operation began October 1, 2014.
  • Cottonwood Wind Farm: Forty (40) turbines began commercial operation in November 2017 on the Cottonwood Wind Farm, which is located three miles south of the City of Blue Hill in Webster County. Maximum capacity is 89,700 kilowatts (89.7 megawatts). The turbines were constructed by NextEra Energy Resources. The City of Beatrice and Board of Public Works will purchase 16.1 megawatts of energy. The Cities of Fremont and South Sioux City and Northeast Public Power District in Wayne are also among the buyers of electricity.
  • Creston Ridge Wind Farm: The four–turbine Creston Ridge Wind Farm located near Creston in Platte County went online in December of 2015. The four turbines were constructed by Bluestem Energy Solutions. Maximum capacity is 6,800 kilowatts (or 6.8 megawatts). The average annual output could power 1,300 homes. Loup Power District is expected to buy the total megawatts of capacity.
  • Creston Ridge II Wind Farm: The three–turbine expansion (or Phase II) of the Creston Ridge II Wind Farm is located near Creston in Platte County and began commercial operation in late 2017. The three turbines were constructed by Bluestem Energy Solutions. Maximum capacity is 6,900 kilowatts (or 6.9 megawatts). Loup Power District is expected to buy the total megawatts of capacity.
  • Crofton Bluffs Wind Farm: The 22–turbine Crofton Bluffs Wind Farm southwest of Crofton in Knox County began commercial operation on November 1, 2012. Maximum capacity is 40,600 kilowatts (or 40.6 megawatts). The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 12,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). The participants in the wind farm are the Nebraska Public Power District, the Omaha Public Power District, the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, and the Lincoln Electric System.
  • Cuming County Wind Farm: One turbine located northeast of Wisner in Cuming County began commercial operation on December 15, 2019. Maximum capacity is 2,500 kilowatts (or 2.5 megawatts). Power will be sold to Cuming County Public Power District.
  • Elkhorn Ridge Wind Farm: The 27–turbine Elkhorn Ridge Wind Farm at Bloomfield in Knox County began commercial operation on March 1, 2009. Each turbine has a maximum capacity of 3,000 kilowatts (or 3 megawatts) for a total of 81,000 kilowatts (or 81 megawatts). The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 25,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). The Nebraska utilities that will buy electricity from Elkhorn Ridge through Nebraska Public Power District include the Omaha Public Power District (25 megawatts); the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (8 megawatts); the Lincoln Electric System (6 megawatts); and the City of Grand Island (1 megawatt).
  • Flat Water Wind Farm: The 40–turbine Flat Water Wind Farm near Humboldt in Richardson County began commercial operation at the end of 2010. Each turbine has a maximum capacity of 1.5 megawatts for a total of 60 megawatts. The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 19,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). Omaha Public Power District has committed to buy the total 60 megawatts.
  • Franklin County Wind Project: The Franklin County Wind Project began commercial operation in October 2022. Each of the two turbines has a maximum capacity of 2.82 megawatts for a total of 5.64 megawatts. The Franklin County Wind Project could produce enough electricity to power approximately 2,000 homes annually (average annual output). One–hundred percent of the power will be used locally by the customers of Southern Public Power District.
  • Grande Prairie Wind Farm: Construction of 200 turbines on the Grande Prairie Wind Farm owned by BHE Renewables near O'Neill in Holt County was finished in 2016. Maximum capacity is 400,000 kilowatts (or 400 megawatts). The average annual output could power about 120,000 homes. Omaha Public Power District is planning to add the 400 megawatts to their portfolio.
  • Hastings Wind Farm: The Hastings Wind Farm in Adams County has one turbine with maximum capacity of 1,700 kilowatts (or 1.7 megawatts). The wind farm became operational in late 2017.
  • Haystack Wind Farm: The wind farm is located in Wayne County. The construction–ready project was acquired by Orsted in 2020. Haystack reached commercial operation in March 2022. Haystack has 51 5–megawatt turbines (255 megawatts).
  • Kimball Wind Project: Aspenall Energies LLC and the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) had 12 turbines installed on the Kimball Wind Project, located outside of Kimball in Kimball County. The wind project started operations on June 29, 2018. Maximum capacity is 30,000 kilowatts (or 30 megawatts). The wind project is expected to supply enough annual energy to power approximately 11,000 homes. MEAN will purchase all of the power produced.
  • Laredo Ridge Wind Farm: The 54–turbine Laredo Ridge Wind Farm near Petersburg in Boone County began commercial operation in 2010. Each turbine has a maximum capacity of 1.5 megawatts for a total of 80 megawatts. The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 26,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). The four participants in the wind farm are the Nebraska Public Power District (61 megawatts), the Lincoln Electric System (10 megawatts), the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (8 megawatts), and the City of Grand Island (1 megawatt).
  • Little Blue Wind Farm: Little Blue is a wind farm south of Blue Hill extending west to Campbell in Webster and Franklin counties. NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, built 87 2.5–megawatt wind turbines capable of generating up to 249,600 kilowatts (249.6 megawatts). Thirteen of the 100 turbines are in northern Franklin County. The project began operations in December 2021.
  • Milligan 1 Wind Farm Project: Ninety–nine (99) turbines were constructed for the Milligan 1 Wind Farm Project owned by EDF Renewables located south and east of Milligan in Saline County. Maximum capacity would be 300,000 kilowatts (or 300 megawatts). The average annual output could power about 10,000 homes. This facility was operational in January 2021.
  • Perennial Wind Farm: Three wind turbines were built by Bluestem Energy Solutions at the Perennial Wind Farm near Fairmont in Fillmore County. The wind turbines became operational in 2018. Maximum capacity is 6,900 kilowatts (or 6.9 megawatts). The wind project is expected to supply enough annual energy to power approximately 2,070 homes. Energy generated from the wind farm will be used by the Perennial Public Power District.
  • Petersburg Wind Farm: The 27–turbine Petersburg Wind Farm in Boone County began commercial operation October 31, 2011. Total capacity is 40,500 kilowatts (or 40.5 megawatts). The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 12,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). Omaha Public Power District has committed to buy the total 40.5 megawatts.
  • Plum Creek Wind: The 82–turbine Plum Creek Wind located in Wayne County began commercial operation in 2020. Maximum capacity is 230,000 kilowatts (or 230 megawatts). The facility could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 100,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output).
  • Prairie Breeze Wind Energy Farm: The 118–turbine Prairie Breeze Wind Energy Farm located in Antelope, Boone, and Madison counties began commercial operation in March 2014. Maximum capacity is 200,600 kilowatts (or 200.6 megawatts). The average annual output could power 60,000 homes. Omaha Public Power District has committed to buy the total 200.6 megawatts.
  • Prairie Breeze II Wind Energy Center: The 41–turbine Prairie Breeze II Wind Energy Center is located in northeastern Nebraska in Antelope and Boone Counties, and began commercial operation in 2015. Maximum capacity is 73,390 kilowatts (or 73.39 megawatts). The average annual output could power 30,000 homes at full capacity. Lincoln Electric System is committed to buying the total 73.39 megawatts.
  • Prairie Breeze III Wind Energy Center: The 20–turbine Prairie Breeze III Wind Energy Center is in Antelope County southeast of Elgin. Construction began on June 1, 2015, and commercial operation began in 2016. Maximum capacity is 35,800 kilowatts (or 35.8 megawatts). The City of Grand Island is planning to purchase the total megawatts but sell 20 percent to Nebraska City and 5 percent to Neligh.
  • Prairie Wind: One wind turbine was built by Bluestem Energy Solutions at Prairie Wind located southwest of Osceola in Polk County. Commercial operation began December 19, 2018. Maximum capacity is 2,500 kilowatts (or 2.5 megawatts). Based on the average household power use of 1,000 kilowatthours per month, the wind project is expected to supply enough annual energy to power approximately 900 homes. Energy generated from the turbine will be used by the Polk County Rural Public Power District.
  • Rattlesnake Creek Wind Farm: The 101–turbine Rattlesnake Creek Wind Farm was constructed by Enel Green Power and is located between the towns of Allen, Emerson, and Wakefield in Dixon County. The wind farm became operational December 18, 2018. Maximum capacity is 320,000 kilowatts (or 320 megawatts), enough power for approximately 105,000 homes. Facebook is planning to purchase 200 megawatts.
  • Seward Wind Facility: One wind turbine was constructed by Bluestem Energy Solutions on the west side of Seward in Seward County and began operation at the end of 2017. Maximum capacity is 1,700 kilowatts (or 1.7 megawatts). The average annual output could power about 600 homes. The Seward City Council signed the power purchase agreement so that Seward will buy the power.
  • Sholes Wind Energy Center: NextEra Energy Resources built a 160,000–kilowatt (or 160–megawatt) wind farm, from which Omaha Public Power District will purchase the electricity generated. The 71–turbine wind farm is located in Wayne and Stanton Counties and named the Sholes Wind Energy Center. It was operational in November, 2019.
  • Springview II Wind Energy Facility: Springview II Wind Energy Facility is the name of Nebraska Public Power District's two turbines installed near Springview in Keya Paha County which began operation in 2011. Maximum capacity is 3,000 kilowatts (or 3 megawatts), and the average annual output could power 1,200 homes. The four partners are the Nebraska Public Power District, the Omaha Public Power District, the Lincoln Electric System, and the Grand Island Utilities.
  • Steele Flats Wind Farm: The 44–turbine Steele Flats Wind Farm between Steele City and Odell in Jefferson and Gage counties began commercial operation on November 1, 2013. Maximum capacity is 74,800 kilowatts (or 74.8 megawatts). The farm could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 19,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). Nebraska Public Power District has committed to buy the total output but will sell 30 megawatts of renewable energy credits from the farm to BD (Becton, Dickinson Company).
  • Thunderhead Wind: Thunderhead Wind Energy, LLC, constructed 108 turbines (300 megawatts) in Antelope, Holt, and Wheeler Counties. The facility could produce an amount of energy equivalent to the amount of electricity used by approximately 115,000 Nebraska residences in a year (average annual output). The facility became commercially operational in 2022.
  • Upstream Wind Energy Center: Invenergy constructed 81 turbines for the Upstream Wind Energy Center on the north and east side of Neligh in Antelope County. The wind project became operational in January, 2019. Maximum capacity is 202,500 kilowatts (or 202.5 megawatts). The wind project is expected to supply enough annual energy to power approximately 68,000 homes.
  • Valentine Wind: The one turbine located 3 miles west of Valentine in Cherry County began commercial operation in 2014. Maximum capacity is 1,850 kilowatts (or 1.85 megawatts). The City of Valentine has committed to buy the total 1.85 megawatts.


Under Development

  • Burt County: The Burt County Wind Project is planned to be located in central Burt County. The facility will have 16 turbines. Expected maximum capacity is 75,000 kilowatts (75 megawatts) which would power approximately 20,500 homes.
  • Greeley County: NextEra Energy Resources is planning to develop a 41–turbine, 115–megawatt, wind farm which will be named the Greeley Wind II, LLC. The project is to be built between Greeley and Scotia. The project is scheduled to begin operations by December 2026.
  • Keith, Garden, and Deuel counties: NextEra Energy Resources is planning the Platte Wind project for Keith, Garden, and Deuel counties. Up to 250 wind turbines capable of generating 800 megawatts are planned. The project is scheduled to begin operations by June 2028.


Decommissioned

  • Lincoln Electric System installed two turbines in an area called Salt Valley located north of Lincoln in Lancaster County; the first turbine began operation on December 17, 1998, and the second turbine began operation on October 27, 1999. The maximum capacity of the Salt Valley turbines was 1,320 kilowatts (or 1.32 megawatts). The average annual output could power 350 homes. Wind Turbine #1 (East) was already out of service before the decommissioning due to a mechanical issue. Wind Turbine #2 (West) was decommissioned due to the remaining life of the equipment and cost savings for decommissioning the turbine at the same time as Wind Turbine #1. The last generation data was reported for May, 2024.
  • Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) installed seven turbines on a farm located near Kimball. The wind farm began operation in October 2002. With the addition of the Kimball Wind Farm, Nebraska's wind energy generation more than doubled in 2002 from 2001 and again more than doubled in 2003 from 2002. Maximum capacity of the Kimball Wind Farm is 10,500 kilowatts (or 10.5 megawatts) and the average annual output could power 2,000 homes. The Kimball wind farm is no longer operational. It is being decommissioned and will no longer be generating. The last generation data was reported for May, 2017.
  • Omaha Public Power District and Valmont Industries installed one turbine by Valley which began operation on December 21, 2001. The maximum capacity of the Valley Station turbine was 660 kilowatts (or 0.66 megawatt), and the average annual output could power 150 homes. The Valley Wind Turbine is no longer operational, and due to age and cost of repair of the turbine, the Omaha Public Power District opted to begin decommissioning. The last generation data was reported for August, 2016.
  • Nebraska Public Power District installed two turbines near Springview and began operation in October 1998. (The numbers in the table below for December 1998 are totals for October, November, and December.) The Springview turbines were released for full power operation in late January 1999. Maximum capacity was 1,500 kilowatts, and the average annual output could power 380 homes. The six co–owners were: the City of Auburn (2 percent), the City of Grand Island (2 percent), the KBR Rural Public Power District (1 percent), the Lincoln Electric System (29 percent), the the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (5 percent), and the Nebraska Public Power District (61 percent). The KBR Rural Public Power District operated the turbines. The Springview wind turbines were decommissioned, and the last generation data was reported for August, 2007. The main reasons to retire the Springview units were the lack of available replacement parts, significant maintenance issues as the units aged, and the opportunity to sell the turbines at an attractive price.

 

Attachment Size
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2025 722.67 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2024 389.72 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2023 847.73 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2022 627.03 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2021 574.75 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2020 553.62 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2019 509.02 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2018 459.38 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2017 387.59 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2016 390.62 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2015 341.08 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2014 323.2 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2013 269.75 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2012 257.58 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2011 218.5 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2010 223.3 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2009 198.83 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2008 184.8 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2007 209.19 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2006 217.06 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2005 213.58 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2004 198.22 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2003 197.3 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2002 193.19 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2001 174.78 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 2000 157.53 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 1999 147.67 KB
Table - Wind Energy Generation Nebraska 1998 144.5 KB

Sources: Lincoln Electric System, Lincoln, NE; Nebraska Public Power District, Columbus, NE; Omaha Public Power District, Omaha, NE; NextEra Energy Resources, Juno Beach, FL; Clearway, Bloomfield, NE; BlueStem Energy Solutions, Omaha, NE; and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, Lincoln, NE.

Notes: Numbers represent net generation. NA indicates that data is not available. Totals may not equal the sum of the components due to independent rounding.

1 Springview's numbers for December 1998 are totals for October, November, and December.

2 Salt Valley's turbine 2 became operational in October 1999. Numbers for both turbines are combined starting with October 1999.

3 Valmont dismantled the Valley Station wind turbine and tower in October, 2002; it was back online in June 2003.

4 Nebraska Public Power District retired the Springview wind turbines in August 2007.

5The Valley Station wind turbine was damaged during a storm in July 2008.

6 The Valley Station wind turbine was down for maintenance in July and August 2009.

7 Springview II's number for October 2011 is probably a total for August, September, and October.

8 The Kimball Wind project's last generation data was for May 2017. It was decommissioned by MEAN in October 2017 and sold to new owners who began commercial operation on June 29, 2018.

9 The Valentine turbine had zero generation in May and June 2022 because the turbine experienced a breakdown.

10 The Cuming County wind farm had zero generation in October, November, and December 2022 because the turbine experienced a breakdown and was waiting for parts.

11 The Springview II wind farm's generation in 2022 is low due to waiting on parts for one of the turbines. The other turbine was done in May 2022.

12 The Cuming County wind farm had zero generation in January 2023 due to being down from mechanical failures.

13 The Franklin County wind farm had zero generation in January 2023 due to being down from mechanical failures.

14 The Cuming County wind farm had zero generation in March 2024 due to being down.

15 The Prairie Wind wind farm had zero generation in August, September, and October 2023 due to waiting for parts for a failed gearbox.