GREAT LAKES ENERGY DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE

Courtesy of Great Lakes Energy Task Force

A broad spectrum of interests in Northeast Ohio is collaborating to pursue the development of offshore wind energy in Lake Erie.  In so doing, we foresee the potential of catalyzing the emergence of a large new industry with the potential for employing thousands of local citizens in the manufacturing, installation and support of wind turbines in Lake Erie and the Great Lakes.  This initiative will set a new standard for the nation and bring leadership in the advanced energy sector to our region.

Continuous progress has been made since a regional task force to explore offshore wind was formed in 2006, with primary funding from Cuyahoga County and the Cleveland Foundation.  Named the Great Lakes Energy Task Force, it brought together resources from across the region to develop the project.  After a two year feasibility study confirmed the initiative's viability in 2009, a pre-development corporation has been formed to seek financing for the first stage of commercialization.

Milestones accomplished to date are:

• Analysis of wind resource, icing and lake bottom conditions, avian and wildlife impacte, power grid interconnection, economic and financial consideration, and other engineering issures associated with deployment of wind turbines in Lake Erie.
• Development of a plan for installing up to 20 megawatts of turbines in an initial commercialization project located 3-5 miles offshore downtown Cleveland.
• Meetings with several wind turbine manufactures and other industrial firms to gain interest for their participation in the initial commercialization project.
• Preliminary agreements with power companies for owning the underwater transmission assets and for purchasing the power generated by the turbines.
• Formation of a non-profit entity to formally and legally oversee offshore wind development called Lake Erie Energy Company (LEEDCo).

We have worked with government officials and regulators to assemble a public and private sector coalition to underwrite and pursue the multi-phase initiative for developing offshore wind projects in Lake Erie.  Next steps are to :

1. Develop a long range plan better defining the later phases of development beyond the initial commercialization project.
2. Identify a developer with whom to collaborate in managing the implementation of the multi-phase development program.
3. Select a manufacturer to supply the turbines for the initial commercialization project.
4. Finalize plans for funding the initial commercialization project and pre-development work for subsequent phases via a public/private sector coalition.
5. Conduct an in-depth bird & bat study at the site of the initial commercialization project.
6. Engage and enjoin residents in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake & Ashtubula Counties to support development of offshore wind in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie.