Pike County wind power project takes a leap forward FacebookTwitterEmail The Panther Creek wind project will generate 44 megawatts through 16 turbines being built on private agricultural land. Construction is expected by mid-2022.Tali Aiona | EyeEm PITTSFIELD — Construction of a wind energy project that will produce enough electricity to power almost 20,000 houses will move forward near Pittsfield. Boise, Idaho-based Illinois Winds LLC said an agreement has been reached with Prairie Power for the purchase of all of the power generated by the Panther Creek wind project for 20 years. It also has inked an agreement to connect to the distribution system. Prairie Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative headquartered in Springfield. Through its 10 electric distribution cooperatives, it provides power to about 78,000 members in central Illinois. It buys wind-generated energy through several companies and also has developed two 500-kilowatt community-based solar projects.