WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) – A crane has lifted the generator and rotor blades of a new wind turbine into place at Wausau East High School.

The turbine is the first of two to go in on the southeast corner of the school.

It’ll be the largest wind turbine at a school in Wisconsin, said East science teacher Lauren Ebbecke who helped lead the effort to erect the towers.

“We’re excited because we’re the leaders in Wisconsin,” Ebbecke said. “Hopefully we’ll see more districts putting this into place.”

The Northwind turbine will produce 100 kilowatts or about 5 percent of the school’s electricity. That will save the school $14,000 a year in energy costs.

The turbine will also help teach students about renewable energy.

A second, smaller 15-kilowatt wind turbine will be built about 350 feet away from the first tower.