Taller Turbines, Bigger Opportunities: How EESI Shaped My Path in Southeast Wind Energy | Article

By Jaxon Tolbert, Senior Program Associate at the Southeastern Wind Coalition

Tall turbines at AES Corporation’s Delta Wind, Mississippi’s first utility-scale wind farm (Photo credit: Jaxon Tolbert)

When people think of the Southeast, wind energy isn’t usually what comes to mind. The region has long been dismissed as lacking the wind resources needed for viable projects. However, that narrative is rapidly shifting. Advances in turbine technology and a growing interest in land-based wind are opening up new possibilities. Through my work with the Southeastern Wind Coalition (SEWC), covering six southeastern states, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing this transformation firsthand.

But let’s rewind a bit. My journey into renewable energy began in the summer of 2021 as the Access Clean Energy Savings intern at the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). Under the mentorship of Project Manager John-Michael Cross and Senior Associate Miguel Yañez-Barnuevo, I gained invaluable experience in policy, advocacy, and clean energy solutions. Both John-Michael and Miguel, along with the rest of the EESI team, provided incredible guidance during my internship and remain trusted mentors today. During my time at EESI, I worked on projects like rural broadband and electric vehicle policy, just as the bipartisan infrastructure bill was gaining momentum. While wind energy wasn’t my direct focus, this experience laid the foundation for my career in clean energy.

Fast forward to today, and I work with SEWC, covering six states in the Southeast with a focus on land-based wind energy education. SEWC’s mission is to advance the wind industry—both land-based and offshore—throughout the region by prioritizing supply chain growth, economic development, job creation, and wind energy deployment, so as to deliver net economic benefits to industries, utilities, and residents. Historically underestimated, the Southeast is now proving its potential, with over 20 wind projects having applied to be connected to its grid as of this writing. Regions like the Mississippi Delta are quickly emerging as critical hubs, reshaping the narrative for wind energy technology in the region.

Advancements in turbine height are redefining what’s possible for wind energy in the Southeast. For years, shorter turbines had to be placed on ridgelines to access sufficient wind, but with heights now reaching up to 700 feet, turbines can capture stronger winds at higher altitudes, unlocking development opportunities on farmland.

One example of this progress is Delta Wind in Mississippi, a wind farm that was originated by Steelhead, the development arm of turbine manufacturer Vestas, and is now owned and operated by utility company AES. Located in Tunica County—a historically underinvested and majority-Black community—Delta Wind is the first wind project in such a county in the United States. Earlier this year, AES was gracious enough to give SEWC a tour, which we coordinated with fellow Southeast Climate and Energy Network (SCEN) members (see photo).

Jaxon with SCEN members and AES staff at Delta Wind’s operations and maintenance building
(Photo credit: Alexander Easdale)

You can’t talk about wind projects without considering the off-takers—the buyers of the power. These projects depend on strong, reliable partners that are committed to purchasing the energy generated. Projects like Delta Wind highlight this connection: Amazon is the sole purchaser of the project’s power, which directly supports its corporate sustainability goals.

Delta Wind is a milestone project, injecting tens of millions of dollars into the local economy and generating significant tax revenue for the county and school district. This helps win support from policymakers. As Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said in his 2024 State of the State address, “I don’t care if it’s green wind power or black crude oil or anything in between. It’s going to be made in Mississippi.”

Delta Wind is just the beginning. Momentum is building with projects like Crossover Wind, also developed by Steelhead and now under construction in Arkansas after its purchase by Cordelio Power, and Long Grain Wind by Triple Oak Power, now in late-stage development. Together with other projects in the Delta region pipeline, these developments highlight how land-based wind is becoming a reality in the Southeast, with Delta Wind already making an impact on the grid.

Another key driver of this growth is the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) (P.L. 117-169), with its wind-specific investment tax credits (ITC) playing a crucial role in improving the cost viability of projects during early development stages, particularly in the Southeast. Unlike production tax credits (PTC), which reward the performance of generating assets already online, ITCs play a critical role in kickstarting projects in regions new to wind energy by offsetting costs during the planning phase. EESI has long carried out Congressional education on these policies, and it’s inspiring to see their impact now taking shape across the Southeast.

Reflecting on my journey, it’s clear that my time at EESI was instrumental in shaping my path. The experience gave me the tools to navigate the complexities of clean energy, and today, I put those lessons into action as I work to promote land-based wind across multiple southeastern states.

The Southeast still has a long way to go, but the progress is undeniable. As the only nonprofit in the region focused solely on wind energy, SEWC is committed to breaking barriers and driving change. EESI’s Congressional education continues to play a critical role in advancing policies like the IRA, directly benefiting wind development in this region.

Thank you, EESI, for setting me on this path. With momentum building, I look forward to seeing how these winds of change will continue to transform the Southeast into a thriving hub for wind energy.