After standing motionless as if dead for some three years, the northernmost of Perry’s three wind turbines will return to a life of ceaseless turning within the next couple of weeks, the owner’s representative said Friday.
“We’ve finally got a new gear box installed,” said HZ Windpower Operations Manager Nate Steffes. He said delays caused by COVID-19 and supply-chain bottlenecks prevented a faster repair.
Steffes said the crane brought in for the job was dismantled this week, and the turbine should be fully operational within two weeks. The repairs were made by Jefferson-based Renew Utility.
The three turbines of Perry’s south side were erected in late 2015 and became operational in early 2017. The northernmost turbine, at 20495 150th St., stopped turning in 2020.
The land on which the turbines stand was annexed into the city of Perry in 2014. The newly repaired turbine is on property owned by Elkhart, Iowa-based Struyk’s Slopes Inc., which leases a portion to the turbine owner.
