Overview
The Cedar Point Wind Farm is a significant operational wind energy infrastructure project located in eastern Colorado, United States. Situated north of the town of Limon, the facility spans across Lincoln and Elbert counties. As a major contributor to the regional power grid, the wind farm has an installed capacity of 252.3 megawatts (MW). It was commissioned in 2011, marking a substantial expansion of renewable energy generation capabilities in the state during that period. At the time of its completion, the Cedar Point Wind Farm was recognized as the second largest wind facility in Colorado, underscoring its importance in the state's energy landscape.
Operational Structure and Ownership
The facility is operated by Enbridge, a prominent energy company involved in various infrastructure assets. The operational framework of the wind farm is defined by a long-term commercial agreement with a major utility provider. Electricity generated by the turbines is sold to Xcel Energy under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA). This contractual arrangement ensures a stable revenue stream for the operator while providing Xcel Energy with a consistent supply of wind-generated power for its distribution network. The 252.3 MW capacity represents the total output potential of the installed wind turbines, which harness the prevailing wind resources of the eastern Colorado plains.
Regional Energy Impact
Located in a region known for its favorable wind conditions, the Cedar Point Wind Farm plays a key role in diversifying the energy mix in Colorado. The project's scale, being the second largest in the state upon its 2011 completion, highlights the growing investment in wind power infrastructure in the area. The facility's operation contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions associated with electricity generation, supporting broader energy policy goals in the United States. The partnership between Enbridge and Xcel Energy exemplifies the collaborative models often used in large-scale renewable energy projects, where independent power producers develop and operate facilities while selling output to utilities for distribution to end-users. The wind farm remains operational, continuing to deliver power to the grid and maintaining its status as a notable energy infrastructure asset in eastern Colorado.
Why it matters
The Cedar Point Wind Farm holds a distinct place in the development of Colorado’s renewable energy infrastructure. Upon its completion in 2011, it stood as the second-largest wind facility in the state, marking a significant milestone for regional wind power generation. With a total installed capacity of 252.3 MW, the project demonstrated the viability of large-scale wind energy deployment in eastern Colorado, specifically north of the town of Limon. This scale of generation contributed substantially to the state’s evolving energy mix, helping to diversify the power supply and reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuel sources during a period of rapid growth in the Colorado wind sector.
Land Use and Scale
The physical footprint of the Cedar Point Wind Farm is considerable, spanning approximately 20,000 acres of land. This extensive area allows for the strategic placement of wind turbines to maximize energy capture while accommodating the natural topography of eastern Colorado. The large land use highlights the spatial requirements of utility-scale wind farms, where turbine spacing is critical to minimize wake effects and optimize overall efficiency. The project’s location in a region known for consistent wind patterns makes effective use of this 20,000-acre expanse, turning a significant portion of the local landscape into a productive energy asset.
Market Impact and Power Purchase Agreement
A key aspect of the project’s significance is its commercial structure, which helped stabilize revenue streams for large wind investments in the region. This long-term contract provided financial certainty for the operator, Enbridge, and ensured a steady supply of renewable energy for Xcel Energy’s customers. Such agreements are crucial for the economic viability of wind farms, as they lock in prices and reduce market volatility risks. The Cedar Point model reflects broader trends in the US energy market, where power purchase agreements play a central role in financing and deploying renewable infrastructure.
How was the Cedar Point Wind Farm constructed?
Construction of the Cedar Point Wind Farm proceeded from August 2010 through September 2011, establishing the facility as a major energy infrastructure project in eastern Colorado. The development was executed under the operational oversight of Enbridge, with the project reaching completion in 2011. At the time of its commissioning, the facility represented the second-largest wind energy installation in the state, contributing significantly to the regional grid capacity with a total installed output of 252.3 megawatts. The construction phase involved substantial logistical coordination to deploy turbine infrastructure north of the town of Limon, leveraging the prevailing wind resources of the High Plains region.| Phase | Timeline | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Construction | August 2010 | Commencement of site preparation and turbine installation activities. |
| Completion | September 2011 | Finalization of infrastructure and operational handover. |
What are the technical specifications of the facility?
The Cedar Point Wind Farm is engineered around a fleet of 139 wind turbines, each with a rated capacity of 1.8 MW, collectively delivering a total installed capacity of 252.3 MW. The facility utilizes equipment manufactured by Vestas, a major global supplier of wind energy systems. This configuration positions the site as a significant contributor to the wind energy mix in eastern Colorado. The turbines are distributed across the terrain north of Limon to optimize wind capture and minimize wake effects between units.
Electrical Infrastructure and Transmission
The electrical collection system aggregates power from the individual turbine generators and steps up the voltage for efficient long-distance transmission. The facility includes a dedicated substation infrastructure and an operations building to house control systems and maintenance equipment. Power generated at the site is transmitted via a 42-mile transmission line extending to the Deer Trail substation. This connection integrates the wind farm into the broader regional grid, facilitating the delivery of electricity to end-users.
| Technical Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Entity Type | Wind Farm |
| Primary Fuel Source | Wind |
| Total Installed Capacity | 252.3 MW |
| Number of Turbines | 139 |
| Turbine Manufacturer | Vestas |
| Rated Capacity per Turbine | 1.8 MW |
| Transmission Line Length | 42 miles |
| Interconnection Point | Deer Trail Substation |
| Operator | Enbridge |
| Offtaker | Xcel Energy |
| Power Purchase Agreement | 20 years |
| Commissioning Year | 2011 |
| Operational Status | Operational |
The technical design supports a 20-year power purchase agreement with Xcel Energy, ensuring a stable revenue stream and grid integration framework. The infrastructure is maintained by Enbridge, the primary operator of the facility. The combination of high-capacity turbines and robust transmission links ensures reliable power delivery to the Colorado grid.
Who operates and owns the Cedar Point Wind Farm?
The Cedar Point Wind Farm is operated by Enbridge, a major North American energy infrastructure company. Enbridge manages the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the facility, ensuring the consistent generation of electricity from the wind turbines located in eastern Colorado. The operational framework supports the plant's status as an active contributor to the regional power grid since its commissioning in 2011.
Workforce and Local Employment
The operation of the Cedar Point Wind Farm provides direct employment opportunities in the local area. According to available data, the facility employs 12 permanent workers. These staff members are responsible for monitoring turbine performance, conducting routine maintenance, and managing the operational logistics of the wind farm. This level of permanent staffing reflects the relatively low labor intensity of modern wind energy facilities compared to thermal power plants, which often require larger crews for continuous fuel handling and boiler management. The presence of these permanent roles contributes to the local economic activity in the vicinity of Limon, Colorado.
Power Purchase Agreement with Xcel Energy
The electricity generated by the Cedar Point Wind Farm is sold to Xcel Energy under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). This agreement spans a 20-year term, providing revenue stability for the operator and a predictable supply of renewable energy for the utility. The PPA structure is a common financial mechanism in the wind energy sector, allowing developers to secure financing by locking in a buyer for the generated megawatt-hours. Xcel Energy, a major electric utility in the United States, utilizes the power from Cedar Point to meet regional demand and contribute to its renewable energy portfolio. The 20-year duration of the contract aligns with the typical economic lifespan and depreciation schedule of wind turbine assets, ensuring that the facility operates under a stable commercial framework throughout its primary productive years.
What is the geographical context of the site?
The Cedar Point Wind Farm is situated in eastern Colorado, United States, specifically located north of the town of Limon. The facility spans across two administrative jurisdictions: Lincoln County and Elbert County. This geographic positioning places the wind farm approximately 80 miles east of Denver, the state capital, integrating it into the broader energy infrastructure of the Front Range metropolitan area while utilizing the open terrain characteristic of the High Plains region.
The selection of this location was driven by the wind resource potential of eastern Colorado, a region known for consistent wind patterns favorable for utility-scale wind energy generation. By positioning the turbines in Lincoln and Elbert counties, the project leverages the flat topography and relatively low population density of the area, which minimizes visual and noise impacts on surrounding communities while maximizing turbine spacing efficiency.
Land access for the 252.3 MW facility is managed through a series of land lease agreements with local landowners. These leases allow the turbines to be installed on agricultural land, enabling dual-use of the property where farming activities can continue alongside wind energy production. This land-lease model is typical for large wind farms in the region, providing steady income for landowners and securing the right-of-way for turbine foundations and access roads.
The proximity to existing transmission infrastructure in eastern Colorado facilitates the delivery of generated electricity to major load centers. The power purchase agreement with Xcel Energy further underscores the strategic location, as the generated power is integrated into the regional grid to serve customers in the Denver metropolitan area and beyond. The 20-year contract ensures long-term operational stability for the site, linking the geographical advantages of the Limon area with the energy demands of the surrounding urban centers.