Steele Flats Wind Farm to see work later this year

BEATRICE – The operator of a wind farm in southeast Jefferson and Southwest Gage County will be doing some maintenance and replacement work this year.
Gage County Emergency Manager Lisa Wiegand says NextEra Energy’s Steele Flats wind farm will go through a re-powering procedure. The company contacted emergency management about the work planned.

"What that's going to consist of in our county, is the twelve turbines that are located in Gage County. They will be re-powered...so as I understand, nothing changes with the pedestal itself...they'll lift off the hub and the blades and replace the blades....and then the generator portion."

Jefferson County has 32 wind turbines and Gage County has 12, in the Steele Flats wind farm. "They're looking at a summer to fall project this year. They did share with us that looking at probably only two months for the entire project to be replaced."

Wiegand told county officials NextEra plans to install a new lighting system that detects aircraft in the area.

"When there's an aircraft in the area, the lighting system will then turn on...and that's something that they did not have, before. The notification, or the actual tower itself for that signaling, will be in Jefferson County."

Wiegand says the height of some wind towers with the blade replacement will increase anywhere from 45 to 60 feet, depending on the type of turbine model.
NextEra has been working with area project landowners on new lease agreements. Gage County will examine the work to ensure it meets all setbacks and regulations that were in place in 2013….when the wind farm was commissioned. No additional wind towers will be installed.