Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) is a non-profit, public power agency that provides wholesale electricity to 12 member communities in Minnesota. The agency was established in 1977 and has since been dedicated to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy to its member communities. MMPA has been at the forefront of renewable energy development in the state and has developed several projects in the biomass & waste, biofuels, small hydro, and wind sectors.

Biomass & Waste

MMPA has been actively involved in the development of biomass and waste-to-energy projects. The agency has invested in several projects that utilize waste materials to generate electricity. One of the most notable projects is the Owatonna Waste-to-Energy Facility, which was commissioned in 1995. The facility processes 100,000 tons of waste per year and generates 12.5 MW of electricity, which is enough to power 10,000 homes. The facility also recovers metals and other materials for recycling, reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfills.

MMPA has also invested in several biomass projects, including the Benson Power Plant. The plant uses agricultural waste, such as corn stover and wheat straw, to generate electricity. The plant has a capacity of 50 MW and can generate enough electricity to power 40,000 homes. The plant also provides a market for farmers to sell their waste materials, providing an additional source of income for the local community.

Biofuels

MMPA has been actively involved in the development of biofuels projects. The agency has invested in several projects that produce biofuels from agricultural waste and other renewable sources. One of the most notable projects is the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company, which was commissioned in 1996. The plant produces ethanol from corn and has a capacity of 50 million gallons per year. The plant provides a market for local farmers to sell their corn and has created jobs in the local community.

MMPA has also invested in several other biofuels projects, including the Granite Falls Energy Plant. The plant produces ethanol from corn and has a capacity of 60 million gallons per year. The plant provides a market for local farmers to sell their corn and has created jobs in the local community.

Small Hydro

MMPA has been actively involved in the development of small hydro projects. The agency has invested in several projects that utilize the power of water to generate electricity. One of the most notable projects is the Red Rock Hydroelectric Project, which was commissioned in 2019. The project is located on the Des Moines River and has a capacity of 36 MW. The project provides clean, renewable energy to the local community and has created jobs in the local area.

MMPA has also invested in several other small hydro projects, including the Cannon Falls Hydroelectric Project. The project is located on the Cannon River and has a capacity of 1.2 MW. The project provides clean, renewable energy to the local community and has created jobs in the local area.

Wind

MMPA has been actively involved in the development of wind projects. The agency has invested in several projects that utilize the power of wind to generate electricity. One of the most notable projects is the Buffalo Ridge Wind Farm, which was commissioned in 2001. The project is located in southwestern Minnesota and has a capacity of 225 MW. The project provides clean, renewable energy to the local community and has created jobs in the local area.

MMPA has also invested in several other wind projects, including the Oak Glen Wind Farm. The project is located in southwestern Minnesota and has a capacity of 200 MW. The project provides clean, renewable energy to the local community and has created jobs in the local area.

Conclusion

Minnesota Municipal Power Agency has been at the forefront of renewable energy development in the state. The agency has developed several projects in the biomass & waste, biofuels, small hydro, and wind sectors. These projects have provided clean, renewable energy to the local community and have created jobs in the local area. MMPA is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy to its member communities and will continue to invest in renewable energy projects in the future.