The Nebraska Wind & Solar Conference & Exhibition held its 17^th annual event on October 22-23, 2024, at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln, NE. This year’s conference was a huge success, with 400+ registered attendees, 38 sponsors and exhibitors, and 56 speakers and moderators from the wind and solar industries. Individuals from across the country participated in 22 general and breakout sessions that shared the latest information on wind and solar energy development. Participants represented diverse stakeholders, including public power, private sector developers, public officials, landowners, environmental interests, wildlife interests, and the public.

The Wednesday noon luncheon featured the always popular panel with three of Nebraska’s top public power executives: Tom Kent, CEO of NPPD (Nebraska Public Power District,) Javier Fernandez, CEO of OPPD (Omaha Public Power District), and Emeka Anyanwu, CEO for LES (Lincoln Electric System). The panel shared the challenges and opportunities of their utilities. All three presentations described the need for substantially more baseload energy to meet Nebraska’s growing energy needs. The reasons for the new additional energy demand included green hydrogen, ethanol, meatpacking, data processing centers, artificial intelligence, Nebraska BioEnergy projects, Sustainable Aviation Fuel projects, utility goals to reduce their carbon emissions levels, SPP “Resource Adequacy” requirements, as well as residential and manufacturing load growth.

Several of the sessions also highlighted unprecedented historic renewable energy grants. The “Solar of All” breakout session described an EPA $62 million 5-year grant to the Center for Rural Affairs to help low-income citizens use solar energy to reduce their household energy costs.

The “Update on City Climate Plans & State Pollution Reduction Grant” breakout session detailed the NDEE (Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy) $307 million grant from the EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program (CPRG), which has been named “One Red” (Opportunity for Nebraska: Reducing Emissions & Decarbonization).  Greenhouse gas reduction measures include energy efficiency and electrification, agriculture, solar projects, and waste management. The Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) was due and completed on March 1, 2024.

Nebraska Wind and Solar Conference Chairman John Hansen said, “These are unprecedented federal financial investments in various forms of carbon emission reductions and renewable energy development that Nebraska can utilize to update our state energy infrastructure dramatically. We salute the Center for Rural Affairs and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy for their leadership in pursuing these federal funds that can be put to good use in our state.”

The video recordings and PowerPoints of each presentation from this year’s conference are available on the website. The conference website also has a wealth of resources available on the Resources tab, which is listed by year and subject. The site offers valuable information and discussion about renewable energy-related issues. Recordings and presentations from previous conferences provide insights from experts on the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in wind and solar energy. Additionally, past agendas are available to help you review specific topics covered each year. Conference Chairman John Hansen said, “We encourage everyone interested in renewable energy development and issues to take advantage of this easy-to-access free video library of renewable energy-based sessions and information to be informed and stay engaged with Nebraska’s fast-growing and dynamic renewable energy sector.”

The 2025 Nebraska Wind & Solar Conference will return to the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln, NE, on October 21-22, 2025. Details regarding sponsorships and registration will be sent out in the spring of 2025. 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Conference Chair John Hansen at john@nebraskafarmersunion.org or Anita Scheuler, Conference Director, at admin@nebraskawsc.com.