Renewable Energy Group (REG), a US-based biodiesel producer, has started construction on a single wind turbine that will supply power to its biorefinery in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

The wind turbine project will generate locally sourced, clean electricity, which will reduce the carbon footprint of the biodiesel plant, said the company.

Cynthia Warner – President and CEO of Renewable Energy Group said: “We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by producing cleaner burning fuels. The addition of the wind turbine will make a process that already had low carbon output even more sustainable.

“We are continuously looking for innovative approaches to improve our facilities, and this project is no exception.”

The wind turbine project will be built and operated by Minnesota-based Juhl Energy. It is expected to offset around 68,000 tons of carbon dioxide over the first 10 years, displacing mainly fossil fuel-based electricity.

Clay Norrbom – Managing Director of Juhl Energy said: “This project is a great example of locally sourced distributed renewable energy and we’re excited that electricity produced from the wind will directly lead to lower carbon gallons of biodiesel being produced by REG.”

The single wind turbine will be built north and west of the REG Albert Lea biodiesel plant. The site selection was made based on Renewable Energy Group’s wish to limit the effect of sound and shadow flicker to the surrounding residents.

  Albert Lea, Clay Norrbom, Cynthia Warner, Juhl Energy, Minnesota, Renewable Energy Group, USA, Wind industry news