Otter Tail Power Company acquires 39 wind turbines in Barnes County, North Dakota

(Fargo, ND) -- The Otter Tail Power Company has purchased 39 wind turbines in North Dakota.

"We have been adding to our renewable fleet of generation over the course of the last 20 years or so, and the Ashtabula III Wind Farm is one that was constructed in 2010," said Brad Tollerson, the utility's Vice President of Energy Supply.

Tollerson says the acquisition is part of the company's plan to use 50 percent renewable energy sources by 2025. While he says wind power is lower cost relative to other power sources, Tollerson does say new alternative energy sources incur additional costs for consumers, because new transmission lines are also required. 

"There's continuing pressure for utilities to reduce the carbon emissions in our generation fleet," said the executive. 

Tollerson says the 39 wind turbines will help provide renewable power to the utility's 133,000 customers in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.