August Cellars, located in Newberg, Oregon, is installing a 50 KW wind turbine that will generate approximately 65% of the electrical needs of the winery. The installation is a partnership between August Cellars, Western Community Energy and the Energy Trust of Oregon.

August Cellars and WCE, taking advantage of the renewable energy tax credits offered by Oregon, purchased and installed the Entegrity EW50 Wind Turbine. The Turbine is located on the Chehalem Mountain where the average wind speed is 13.4 to 14.5 mph. It should generate 60,000 to 64,000 kilowatts over the course of the year, generating about two thirds of the winery’s annual energy consumption. August Cellars expects the turbine to be operating by the middle of January 2011.

This is a unique partnership where August Cellars leases the turbine and WCE takes advantage of the energy tax credits. August Cellars then has an opportunity to purchase the tower at the end of the lease, and will continue to operate the turbine, reducing not only their carbon footprint but their annual electrical bill as well. August Cellars expects to recover the costs involved in ten to fifteen years, depending upon electric rates.