The Rail Splitter Wind Farm is a 67-turbine wind farm in northern Logan County and southern Tazewell County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The wind farm is near the towns of Delavan, Hopedale, and Emden on a glacial moraine known as Union Ridge.
Operation
The turbines generate a maximum of 100.5 megawatts of electricity.[1] The wind farm is owned and operated by EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA), formerly Horizon Wind Energy.[2] The wind turbines that constitute the farm are centered on the town of Emden on both sides of Interstate 155. The wind farm, constructed in 2008–2009 at a cost of $200.0 million, was dedicated on July 21, 2009.[3][4]
Expansion
Rail Splitter II is a wind farm that will be located in Tazewell County, near the townships of Boynton, Hopedale, Hittle, and Little Mackinaw. The expansion will add capacity of 100 megawatts (MW) with 20-28 planned turbines. The model is expected to be determined in 2023.[5][6]
In June 2022, a group of Mackinaw farmers known as United Citizens of Tazewell County LLC presented a rewrite of the county ordinance for wind farms. If passed, this change would affect the turbines at Rail Splitter and the proposed Rail Splitter II.[7]
References
- ^ "Rail Splitter Wind Farm | EDPR North America". www.edpr.com. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
- ^ Carmen (2021-12-14). "Rail Splitter, US". Power Technology. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
- ^ "Rail Splitter Wind Farm by the numbers". (Springfield, IL) State Journal-Register. 2009-01-30. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ "Lincoln's 1858 speech cited at ribbon-cutting of newest wind farm". (Bloomington, IL) Pantagraph. 2009-07-22. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
- ^ "Rail Splitter II Wind Farm | EDPR North America". www.edpr.com. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
- ^ Deacon, Joe (2021-09-17). "Wind Farm Expansion In Tazewell County In 'Early-Stage Development'". WCBU Peoria. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
- ^ Shelley, Tim (2022-06-16). "Tazewell County is considering a major wind farm ordinance overhaul. Here's 5 answers to questions you may have about the proposal". WCBU Peoria. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
40°18′N 89°24′W / 40.300°N 89.400°W