JOPLIN, MO. ? A Joplin, Mo.-based power company has announced plans to purchase energy from a yet-to-be-built wind farm in Cloud County.

Empire District Electric Co. has signed a 20-year purchase power agreement with Cloud County Wind Farm LLC, which is owned by Houston-based Horizon Wind Energy.

According to a news release last week, Horizon Wind Energy plans to start building the Meridian Way Wind Farm, formerly known as the Cloud County Wind Farm, in late 2007 or early 2008. The project will encompass 9,000 acres and include at least 20 landowners, according to the news release.

Empire estimates it will purchase about 350,000 megawatt-hours of energy each year from the wind farm. That’s enough energy to meet the needs of 25,000 homes.

Empire already is using energy from the 150-megawatt Elk River Wind Project in Butler County.