Central’s wholesale energy provider, Associated Electric Cooperative Inc., continues to diversify its owned and contracted generation resources, announcing in January 2006 that it will purchase power from Missouri's first utility-scale wind farm. The 50-megawatt "Bluegrass Ridge" wind farm in northwest Missouri is being developed and built by Wind Capital Group and John Deere Wind Energy.

"Associated Electric Cooperative is committed to providing affordable, renewable energy options to our members. We are particularly pleased that the wind energy we are purchasing is harvested in our service area and that this investment will be staying here in our own communities,” said Jim Jura, CEO and general manager of AECI, during a ceremony to announce the wind farm. “Adding wind turbines to the coal, natural gas, oil, hydropower and biomass generating resources we already use will help us improve our ability to fulfill our mission of providing reliable, low-cost electricity to rural electric cooperative members,” he said.

The wind energy project, located near King City, Mo., will include 24, Suzlon S-88 turbines capable of producing enough power for up to 30,000 homes. Construction is expected to begin in early summer with at least 16 turbines operational by the end of 2006.