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 Sugar
Creek Wind One is owned by Liberty Energy and recently purchased the
former grade school that will now be the local headquarters for the
company. Joining Liberty in the building is Vestas, the company that
manufactures the wind turbines that are located in the Sugar Creek
farm.
Sugar Creek consists of 57 turbines that are clearly visible to the
public driving along Illinois State Route 10 between Lincoln and New
Holland.
On hand, representing the two companies were Bryan
Copper with Vestas along with several of the staff that work on the
Vestas side of the building, Liberty Energy Regional Manager Adam
Loudon and Sugar Creek Wind One site manager Dean Waldinger. Joining
this group behind the ribbon was New Holland Village Board President
Annie Coers and village trustees, Sharon Wright and Val Goin.
In the crowd there to watch the cut were several
representatives from Tremont National Bank including outgoing Bank
President June Kidd and her successor Josh Dickey. The two along
with members from the New Holland branch of the bank were on hand to
show support for the new businesses. Others in the crowd included
community members, some of which were landowners who had wind
turbines on their property.
The ribbon cutting was led by Lincoln Daily News,
with Karen Castelein and Richard Smith holding the ribbon for the
cut. Nila Smith served as emcee for the event.
Smith said that the celebration is a big event for the community
because Liberty and Vestas have chosen New Holland as their local
home base. The companies purchased the building thus saving an empty
and neglected building.
Smith called on Annie Coers to start off the
speeches. Coers began with comments about celebrating growth. She
said that while some see the turbines in a negative light, she sees
it a economic growth in the community. She noted that the companies
provide 10 full time jobs in the community.
She mentioned Liberty and Vestas and thanked them for their
investment in the community and welcomed them.
The next person to speak was Bryon Cooper
representing Vestas. Cooper said he appreciated everyone who was
there. He said that the company is responsible for keeping the
current towers running. He said that from time-to-time passersby may
see cranes or other equipment out in the wind farm as they work to
keep the turbines in good running order. He said that the
technicians that work for Vestas have been treated well in the
community and he appreciated the cooperation of all those who are
involved with the wind farm and the turbines.
Next to speak was the Liberty Regional Manager Adam
Loudon. He thanked those in attendance and said that New Holland had
welcomed Liberty with open arms. He said he was happy with the
building and happy to be a part of the community. He said that he
wanted to extend an open invitation to the community to come to the
building with questions, concerns, or comments about the wind farm
and its operation.
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The last person to speak was Dean Waldinger. He said
that he would just echo all that had already been said. He also
acknowledged Stan Komperda who was not able to attend. Komperda is
now with Highlander Renewables, but before joining that company, he
was heavily involved in bringing Sugar Creek to Logan County.
Waldinger said that getting everything in order at Sugar Creek and
establishing the central office had begun during the coronavirus
pandemic which had complicated the situation. The companies kept
moving forward and now, three years later they are feeling good
about where they are with the farm and in the community.
He said that he welcomed questions and comments from
the community, was always willing to explain the wind farm and field
questions or concerns. Before snipping the ribbon he also said that
he had a power point presentation set up in the conference room that
used to be the kindergarten classroom at the front of the building.
He said he would like the opportunity to share information with
anyone who was interested in learning more about turbines in general
and Sugar Creek specifically.
Then it was time for the posed photo with those
behind the ribbon then came the countdown to the snip when that
Waldinger did the honors.
The PowerPoint presentation inside offered some
interesting generic information about turbines and talked
specifically about the turbines that make up Sugar Creek.
There were some interesting facts that were shared.
For example there are 57 turbines in the windfarm. Forty of these
turbines are called the 4.2Megawatts which means they generate
larger quantities of energy than the other 17 which are 2MW. With
the high Megawatts, more energy can be produced with a smaller
footprint on the land.
It was also shared that the turbine industry has improved a great
deal. The early versions of the tall wind machines were estimated to
have a working life of about 20 years. Today’s modern turbines have
a working life of around 40 years.
While guests were enjoying the time inside, they were also
encouraged to enjoy refreshments, some of which were provided by
Ollies Diner, another new business in New Holland.
[Nila Smith]
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