| Rail Splitter Wind Farm | |
| Country: | USA |
| Location: | Emden, Illinois |
| Status: | Active |
| Cost: | $221 million |
| Operator: | EDPR NA |
| Employees: | 20 |
| Wind Farm Type: | Onshore |
| Ps Units Operational: | 67 x 1.5 MW |
| Ps Units Manu Model: | GE sle |
| Ps Storage Capacity: | 100.5 MW |
| Website: | https://www.edpr.com/north-america/rail-splitter-wind-farm |
The Rail Splitter Wind Farm is a 67-turbine wind farm in northern Logan County and southern Tazewell County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The wind farm is near the towns of Delavan, Hopedale, and Emden on a glacial moraine known as Union Ridge.
The turbines generate a maximum of 100.5 megawatts of electricity.[1] The wind farm is owned and operated by EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA), formerly Horizon Wind Energy.[2] The wind turbines that constitute the farm are centered on the town of Emden on both sides of Interstate 155. The wind farm, constructed in 2008–2009 at a cost of $200.0 million, was dedicated on July 21, 2009.[3] [4]
Rail Splitter II is a wind farm that will be located in Tazewell County, near the townships of Boynton, Hopedale, Hittle, and Little Mackinaw. The expansion will add capacity of 100 megawatts (MW) with 20-28 planned turbines. The model is expected to be determined in 2023.[5] [6]
In June 2022, a group of Mackinaw farmers known as United Citizens of Tazewell County LLC presented a rewrite of the county ordinance for wind farms. If passed, this change would affect the turbines at Rail Splitter and the proposed Rail Splitter II.[7]