Eleven wind turbines from California reportedly can't hack a harsh Minnesota winter.
The refurbished 115-foot turbines, erected last fall in 11 Minnesota cities continue to sit idle, apparently frozen by the frigid temperatures, StarTribune.com reports.
Avant Energy of Minneapolis, which operates the turbines for the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, told the Star Tribune it plans to hire a company to get the windmills running again within two months.
"It is very important we get them up and operating," Avant president Derick Dahlen told the Web site. "When they don't turn, that doesn’t satisfy us."
Dahlen said the turbines — purchased with federal renewable energy bonds — demonstrates the 11 cities' support for green energy.
Dan Geiger, Chaska's electrical director, said the city has been receiving inquiries as to why its 160-kilowatt turbine, $300,000 wasn't working. He told the Star Tribune it had not moved since early November.
"We put a lot of time and energy into getting it installed," Geiger said. "We were hoping it would be spinning by now."
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