Minwind files for bankruptcy reorganization
Published 11:41 am Thursday, January 8, 2015
MINNEAPOLIS — Farmers and land owners who invested in two small wind farms in southwest Minnesota have filed for bankruptcy reorganization.
Regulatory filings said the 360 owners stand to lose their investment and the wind farms may eventually have to shut down.
The two Minwind Energy projects are located near Luverne. Minwind said the turbines have needed extensive repairs and it can no longer afford the maintenance.
Minwind has also failed to file some paperwork with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission since 2006 and has a $1.9 million liability. Minwind’s attorneys have told the government the owners are “unsophisticated” about regulatory matters and should be excused for the filing lapse.
The Minwind farms went online with 11 turbines in 2002 and 2004. The electricity is sold to Xcel Energy and Alliant Energy.