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Wind Farm Development

Wind maps created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory show that Ohio's wind power potential exceeds 66,000 megawatts of on-shore resources and an ideal location for utility-scale wind development. The state's extensive farmlands offer a promise for wind turbines, which provide a new source of long-term revenue with little impact to existing agricultural operations. A modern, utility-scale wind turbine can provide added income to a landowner through leasing of wind rights. This boost to Ohio's rural economies and the additional income for farmers will reinvigorate rural Ohio.

Wind Farm Development Information Resources

• Interactive wind maps are available courtesy of the Ohio Power Siting Board
  

Below are links to static Ohio wind maps at various heights in Adobe pdf format:

• Wind Power at 50 meters (pdf)
• Wind Power at 100 meters (pdf)
  
• Wind Speed at 50 meters (pdf)
  
• Wind Speed at 80 meters (pdf)
  
• Wind Speed at 100 meters (pdf)

The Ohio Power Siting Board supports sound energy policies that provide for the installation of energy capacity and transmission infrastructure for the benefit of the Ohio citizens, promoting the state's economic interests, and protecting the environment and land use.

Before construction can begin on any major utility facility within the state of Ohio, a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need must be obtained from the Board. The Ohio Revised Code defines a major utility facility as "a generating plant of 50 megawatts (MW) or more; an electric transmission line of 125 kilovolts (kV) or more; or a gas or natural gas transmission line capable of transporting gas at more than 125 pounds per square inch of pressure." The statute also requires wind generation of 5 MW or greater to be certificated by the Board.

For more information, click here.

The Ohio Wind Working Group is the forum on wind energy development information in the State of Ohio. Drawing from the manufacturing, government, development, and research sectors, as well as local landowners, Ohio Wind Working Group members work collaboratively to address obstacles in wind energy development and educate the public on the benefits of wind energy. Click here for information

Offshore Wind

Preliminary findings from a feasibility study performed by leading wind industry experts in 2009 indicate that Ohio is well-positioned to develop offshore wind energy. It found Ohio's strengths to include:

• A central location, with low-cost accessible land and maritime shipping/transportation;
• Educational/research excellence for wind energy at Case Western Reserve University's Great Lakes Institute for Energy Innovation, NASA Glenn Research Center, University of Toledo, and the entire Ohio university system;
• Many local companies currently supplying components to the wind industry;
• Manufacturing space and tax incentives available to attract the wind manufacturing sector to Ohio;
• A strong manufacturing base, with the skills and expertise to lead the wind manufacturing sector;
• The shallow water of Lake Erie make it more attractive than other Great Lakes to develop wind technology; and
• Wind monitoring equipment installed three miles offshore in Lake Erie indicates an excellent wind resource.

Resulting from this work, the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation has been established to undertake activities to accelerate the development of offshore wind projects in Lake Erie. They are currently working on a multi-phase development plan, the first phase of which involves a 20 mega-watt (MW) initial demonstration project. This will pave the way for subsequent larger projects.