LEEDCo (Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation), the developer of “Project Icebreaker,” North America’s first freshwater wind project in Lake Erie, has selected Cleveland based Middough Inc., to provide engineering services for the design and construction of the land based electric facilities needed to connect the wind farm to the Cleveland Public Power (CPP) Lake Road substation. This interconnection is a critical component of the project and will enable the delivery of clean wind power to homes and businesses. As described by LEEDCo President Lorry Wagner, Ph.D., “Project Icebreaker is a demonstration project that will put Cleveland on the map as an offshore wind innovation and testing center – where we can learn how to harness this vast wind resource in a cost competitive and environmentally responsible way.” Upon completion of the project, there will be six wind turbines totaling nearly 21 megawatts of generating capacity, 8-10 miles off the Cleveland coastline in Lake Erie. The turbines will generate enough electricity to power 6,000 to 10,000 homes. “We approached this project with the hope of partnering with local talents and we are very excited to have Middough join our team,” said Dr. Wagner. Middough has extensive experience in substation and utility interconnection design and supply, including current substation design activities at the CPP Lake Road substation interconnection site. “Middough is honored that LEEDCo chose us to provide engineering services for the substation interconnect on this very important project. We are confident that we will provide the leadership, collaboration and technical skills to make Project Icebreaker a success,” said John M. Alexander, Middough’s Senior Vice President-General Manager and Power Industry Champion. “Ohio is the perfect place for offshore wind. We are home not only to tremendous manufacturing potential, but to some of the nation’s dirtiest air. Increasing our reliance on clean wind energy in Northeast Ohio will create local jobs and reduce air pollution. Icebreaker is a win for the economy and a win for the environment,” added Dr. Wagner. LEEDCo utilizes an innovative foundation design called the Mono Bucket that will support the wind turbines. This design was developed by Denmark-based Universal Foundation, and will reduce installation costs for the project. According to Dr. Wagner, the Mono Bucket “is lighter than our original concept, requires significantly less time on the water during construction, will reduce environmental disturbance, and can be fabricated locally.” LEEDCo has received a Submerged Lands Lease from the state and is in the process of updating and completing its state and federal permit applications. Permitting is expected to be completed in 2017, with construction taking place in 2018 at a total cost of about $125 million.