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Uilk Wind Farm

  • Category: Wind Power

  • Location: Minnesota, USA

  • Date started: 2009

  • Status: In Operation

 

In 2009, Goldwind, then of the largest Chinese wind turbine manufacturers, was looking to break into the American wind market. Yet, with unproven technology and differences in business culture, it was difficult to do so. Sometimes we don’t start projects, but help others finish them when they get stuck.

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Horizon took a risk, assisted in getting the project constructed with Goldwind’s technology, and returned the project back to its original developers, a win-win-win for all involved.

1. About
The Uilk Wind Farm is located in Pipestone Minnesota, USA and uses three Goldwind GW77 1.5MW turbines. The principle developers wanted to work with a Chinese turbine supplier which, at the time, had not yet deployed their technology in North America. It was a demonstration project for Goldwind. Horizon Legacy was approached to assist in bringing the project to completion after the principles encountered a number of challenges in construction and financing.

2. Challenges

  • A top-tier Chinese turbine supplier wanting to enter the North American market with their technology;

  • Project had higher construction, financing, and execution risk.

  • Differences in culture, understanding of local business practices, and way of doing things​


3. Outcome

Horizon took the time to thoroughly understand the project, evaluate and mitigate the risks. With patience and understanding, Horizon was able to bring a solution to the satisfaction of all parties involved. Horizon took on the risks that no one else was willing to take to help the project finish construction and commissioning. The project’s control was returned to the principle developers.

Ernestown Wind Park

Ernestown Wind Park

In the early 2000s, a prominent prominent local judge from the Kingston area, approached CEO Anthony Zwig with the idea of building a hospital as his lasting legacy for the community. The two two men quickly determined that a hospital wasn’t needed. The judge suggested they build a wind farm instead. At the time, Anthony didn’t know much about renewable energy, but as a sailor, he knew the area had a lot of wind. He and his team began testing the wind quality of the site in 2004, and then they waited (and waited) for provincial policy to catch up with their vision.
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