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Wind turbine in a blue sky

Port Wind Turbine

The City of Milwaukee's Environmental Collaboration Office and Port Milwaukee partnered to install a Northern Power 100-kilowatt wind turbine at the Port's administration building near the shore of Lake Michigan. The wind turbine is an important symbol of the City's clean energy future.

Fast Facts:*

  • The turbine provides more than 100% of the electricity needs of the administration building, allowing surplus clean power to be provided back to the power grid.
  • As a result, Milwaukee’s Port Administration Building is the first City of Milwaukee municipal facility that is a "net zero" electric energy user.
  • Since its installation on February 27, 2012, the wind turbine has generated over 1.4 million kilowatt hours of clean power.
  • Net savings on the electric bill from the wind turbine and energy efficiency work at the Port's Building is approximately $200,000 over the last ten years. 

*As of 2/22/2022

Mayor Johnson, ECO Director, Port Director, and We Energies Representative Standing In Front of Wind Turbine for 10th AnniversaryPort Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Wind Power 

February 27, 2022 marked the tenth anniversary of energy generation from Port Milwaukee’s wind turbine. In the past decade, the Port has avoided releasing over 1,025 metric tons of carbon dioxide into our air. That's equivalent to 1,133,355 pounds of coal burned or 123 homes’ energy use for one year. This surplus electricity creates over $8,000 in revenue for the City each year on average.

Not only is the wind turbine an important symbol of Milwaukee's clean energy future, it is paying annual dividends on the tax payers’ investment. In fact, the turbine has far exceeded initial estimates in clean energy production and savings to the City. Since many of the components and all of the installation services were sourced from Wisconsin firms, the wind turbine also demonstrates that every dollar invested in renewable energy in Wisconsin is a dollar invested in a job for a Wisconsinite.

Milwaukee’s wind turbine is part of the City’s initiative to reduce energy use and increase renewable energy projects on City facilities. ECO is currently planning additional solar energy projects to complement this renewable energy source.

Wind Turbine at Port Milwaukee Administration BuildingRead More

  • Final Proposal PowerPoint. The final proposal presentation was given during a public meeting at Bay View High School on March 14, 2011. This proposal placed the Northern Power 100-kilowatt wind turbine at the Port Authority Building site. Construction began on the turbine on November 14, 2011.
  • Height Comparison with other Landmarks. See how the proposed wind turbine compares in height with utility scale wind turbines, Bayview Terrace, MMSD smokestack and other Milwaukee landmarks.
  • Frequently Asked Questions. OES provided this Frequently Asked Questions document to help address questions you may have about the project, and provide additional resources to learn about wind, similar projects and what this opportunity means for Milwaukee's clean energy future.

A Win for Wisconsin

The Milwaukee wind turbine not only provides clean energy for the City, it helped to support Wisconsin's exciting wind industry.

The City and Northern Power worked with the following companies to ensure that the majority of components were made right here in Wisconsin:

  • Ameron - Brookfield, WI: Coating System              
  • Anderson Labs - Greendale, WI: Material Testing
  • ATCAM Inc - Little Chute, WI: Tower Flange Metallizing
  • Bassett Mechanical - Kaukauna, WI: Tower
  • Cooper Heat (MQS) - Milwaukee, WI: UT Testing
  • Great Lakes Testing - Green Bay, WI: Tower UT Testing
  • R&M MFG - Milton, WI: Hub, Generator Rotor, Disk Brake, Retainers, Sleeves,
  • Renco Machine - Green Bay, WI: Mainframe, Rear Housing, Turbine Skid, Service Platform
  • Scott’s Industrial Coatings - Green Bay, WI: Tower Paint
  • Thermtech - Washesha, WI: Heat Treating
  • Torrance Foundry - La Crosse, WI: Castings
  • Trace-a-Matic - Brookfield, WI: Front Housing 
  • Installer: Kettle View Renewable Energy

In the News

Milwaukee's Only Wind Turbine Turns 10 Years Old

Yahoo! News - February 28, 2022

Port Milwaukee Wind Turbine Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Urban Milwaukee - February 28, 2022

Port of Milwaukee Wind Turbine Reaches 1 Millionth kWh of Electricity

Fox 6 News - October 23, 2018

What's the Wind Turbine South Downtown Milwaukee Powering?

WUWM - February 11, 2018

A Sign of Sustainable Energy 

WUWM - February 24, 2012

Contractors Complete Work at Port

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - February 22, 2012

Wind Turbine Up in Milwaukee

Earth Techling - March 3, 2012