Hydroelectric plant will make enough to power 7,500 homes

Last update: November 5, 2009 - 7:54 PM

Power from a new hydroelectric plant on the Mississippi River will produce enough electricity for about 7,500 homes by the end of next year, according to officials who provided an update on the project Thursday. The 10-megawatt plant is located just below the new Interstate 35W bridge at the Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which owns the lock and dam, gave permission to a private company to build the hydro plant in an alternate lock in the river that is not needed for commercial river traffic. That company, Brookfield Renewable Power of Massachusetts, also operates the 20-megawatt hydro plant just downriver at the St. Paul Ford truck assembly plant.

Brookfield project manager Steve Mockler said the new $35 million plant is about 30 percent complete, will install 16 turbines and will sell its electricity to Xcel Energy.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and several legislative leaders praised the new project as an example of clean energy.

"This is what the green economy is all about," said Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis.

Rep. Mike Beard, R-Shakopee, said he avoids using the word green, but joined others in touring the construction area. "Putting turbines like this in the run of the river makes a lot of common sense," he said.

TOM MEERSMAN