Willmar Municipal Utilities is keeping a close eye on the drought conditions in Willmar. Currently, the utilities department is able to meet the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources restrictions, but if the drought worsens, Willmar Municipal Utilities might have to take more action.
COVID-19 has had less of an impact on Willmar Municipal Utilities than expected wctrib.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wctrib.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Willmar Power Plant s days are probably numbered; Municipal Utilities Commission recommends demolition
The Willmar Municipal Utilities Commission voted Monday to move forward with the asbestos abatement and demolition of the Willmar Power Plant, unless a buyer comes forward. The plant was closed down for good last summer, after the city s district heat system was decommissioned. 6:03 am, Feb. 10, 2021 ×
Massive boilers in the Willmar Power Plant created the steam that turned the turbines which in turn generated electricity. They originally ran completely on coal, though a few of them were upgraded to use natural gas in later years. The plant hasn t produced electricity since 2018 and all four boilers have since gone cold and quiet.
Willmar wind turbines have a breezy 2020
The wind turbines in Willmar had their best year since 2016, despite a few minor issues arising this summer. Staff at Willmar Municipal Utilities are hoping for a windy 2021. 5:03 pm, Jan. 18, 2021 ×
The Willmar Municipal Utilities wind turbines, located near the Willmar High School, had a good 2020, creating over 6.9 million kilowatt hours of power.
West Central Tribune file photo
WILLMAR Thanks to the literal winds that blew through Willmar in 2020, the Willmar Municipal Utilities wind turbines had a pretty good year.
The turbines produced 6,993,564 kilowatt hours of electricity last year, the largest total since 2016, when 7.5 million were produced. In 2015 the turbines produced over 8.3 million kilowatt hours.
Willmar Power Plant may soon face the wrecking ball
The future of the mothballed Willmar Power Plant will now have to be decided, sooner than was anticipated. Wenck Associates presented its environmental reviews of the property Dec. 14 during a work session of the Willmar Municipal Utilities Commission. The Willmar City Council will make the final decision about the building s future, but regardless Willmar Municipal Utilities is facing at least $2.7 million to just clean up the asbestos and tear the building down. 6:00 am, Dec. 21, 2020 ×
Willmar Municipal Utilities had hoped it had a few years before having to tackle whether to tear down the power plant. Instead, it hopes to have the project completed by summer 2021, unless someone steps up to purchase the structure.