“All customers want low-cost energy, and we’re investing in projects like the Foxtail Wind facility that will help keep bills low while adding investments that will benefit our customers in North Dakota and the Upper Midwest,” said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy—Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota.
“Our vision to achieve nation-leading carbon reduction goals while keeping bills low is one that is good for our customers and our communities,” said Clark. “Wind generation, along with our existing nuclear plants, solar projects, and other carbon-free sources provide great value to our region.”
The Foxtail Wind project, developed by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, is expected to provide enough energy to power about 79,000 average Midwestern homes. Construction will begin this summer with the wind turbines being installed and brought online in 2019.
Approximately 100 construction workers will build the project over 2018-2019, and an additional 10 workers will maintain and operate the facility. The company will pay an estimated $30 million in lease payments and $20 million in property taxes over the next 30 years.
The project will span about 20,029 acres and use 75 Vestas wind turbines. West Fargo, North Dakota-based Wanzek Construction will build the wind farm. Wanzek has built more than 90 wind farms throughout the country, nearing 10 GW constructed.
The project will also include access roads, underground electrical collection systems and cabling, a collection substation, an operation and maintenance (O&M) building, a meteorological evaluation tower, a construction laydown area, a batch plant, and a switchyard, according to documents filed by Foxtail Wind with the North Dakota Public Service Commission.
