National Wind
| Company type | Limited liability company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wind energy development |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Minneapolis , United States |
Area served | United States (Midwest) |
Key people | Leon Steinberg (CEO) |
Number of employees | 50 |
| Parent | Trishe Group |
National Wind, LLC, established in 2003 and operating under the Trishe Group umbrella from its headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, focuses on the development of large-scale, community-driven wind energy initiatives. Employing 50 staff members located in Minneapolis and Grand Forks, North Dakota, National Wind is recognized as a prominent developer of community-owned wind farms within the United States.
Community-based model
The company’s core approach revolves around a community-centric business model, where each wind project is structured as an independent limited liability company (LLC) created in collaboration with local residents and landowners. In contrast to conventional wind developers who maintain full ownership and compensate landowners through leases or royalties, National Wind distributes both ownership stakes and revenue among local participants, thereby boosting regional economic benefits alongside ecological advantages.
Projects
National Wind specializes in developing and managing utility-scale wind farms that generate a minimum of 50 megawatts of renewable power, primarily situated throughout the Midwest, including states such as Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, and Ohio. The firm currently manages twelve distinct wind project groups at various phases of development or operation:
- Emmet County Energy LLC (NorthStar Wind Farms) – A 250 MW initiative spanning Emmet and Dickinson Counties in Iowa, featuring completed transmission line acquisition that connects to the grid in Jackson, Minnesota.
- M-Power LLC – A 169.5 MW project located in Griggs and Steele Counties, North Dakota; recognized as the largest community-owned wind development in the state at its inception. National Wind divested from this project in April 2009.
- High Country Energy LLC – A 300 MW project covering Dodge and Olmsted Counties in Minnesota.
- Jeffers Wind Energy Center – A 50 MW phase finalized in 2008 within Cottonwood County, Minnesota; National Wind no longer retains ownership.
- Dakota Wind Energy LLC – South Dakota’s inaugural large-scale community wind endeavor at 750 MW; this represents National Wind's most extensive planned project.
- Root River Energy LLC – A collection of projects totaling 300 MW situated in Fillmore County, Minnesota.
- Lake Country Wind Energy – A portfolio amounting to 340 MW across Meeker and Kandiyohi Counties in Minnesota.
- NECO Wind – The largest community wind project in Colorado with plans for 650 MW across Sedgwick, Phillips, and Logan Counties.
- Goodhue Wind – An ongoing 78 MW development located in Goodhue County, Minnesota.
- Red Rock Wind Energy – Established to pursue an additional 300 MW within Emmet and Dickinson Counties, Iowa.
- Little Rock Wind – A portfolio totaling 150 MW based in Big Stone County, Minnesota.
- Northwest Ohio Wind Energy – Created through collaboration with local partners to develop 300 MW across Paulding and Van Wert Counties, Ohio.
- Norfolk Wind Energy – Initiated by farmers from Renville County, Minnesota aiming to develop over 40 MW of community-oriented wind power.
These initiatives exemplify National Wind’s dedication to its distinctive business framework that emphasizes strategic alliances with local communities, fostering growth and enhancing its influence within the wind energy sector.
Assessment division
National Wind Assessments, operating as a branch of National Wind LLC out of North Dakota, focuses on the development, permitting, and engineering of wind energy projects. Their expertise includes site evaluation via met tower deployment, collection of wind data, and conducting environmental assessments, all integral to the firm’s strategy of delivering end-to-end wind power solutions.
Media attention
The company has attracted considerable media interest, bolstering its presence within the industry. On February 22, 2008, the Star Tribune, Minnesota’s leading newspaper, spotlighted National Wind on the front page of its business section. Additional coverage appeared in publications such as Twin Cities Business and the Lincoln Star. Leon Steinberg, the CEO and a recognized figure in wind energy entrepreneurship, was interviewed in a July 2008 U.S. News & World Report piece addressing how the federal production tax credit influences sector expansion and profitability.