By Tenaska
Construction of the Nobles 2 wind farm near Wilmont in Nobles County is creating benefits for the area economy through jobs and contract opportunities.
The Nobles 2 project represents an investment of more than $158 million in the regional economy. Over the past year, the project has provided approximately 150 local jobs. Some $15.5 million in contracts have been awarded to businesses in the region.
“We view the Nobles 2 wind farm as a community project, with hundreds of landowners participating in the project. Now, the broader benefits of construction are a reality and illustrate the importance of projects like these to the local economy,” Kevin Shouse, Tenaska director of engineering, said during American Wind Week (Aug. 9-15, 2020). “That’s something we take great pride in.”
Construction of the 250-megawatt (MW) wind farm began in August 2019. Vestas, an industry-leading global manufacturer of wind turbines, supplied the wind turbines and is providing maintenance services for the project. Mortenson, a premier builder and provider of energy and engineering services, is the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor.
More than 90% of the 74 turbines have now been installed and are in the testing phase. Completion of the wind farm is anticipated before the end of 2020, although some field restoration work and construction clean-up may continue into next year.
The wind farm is owned by Nobles 2 Power Partners, LLC, which is comprised of affiliates of Tenaska, ALLETE, Inc. and Bright Canyon Energy. When complete, the wind farm will provide renewable energy under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Minnesota Power, a utility division of ALLETE.
The Nobles 2 wind farm is committed to being a good business neighbor in Nobles County. In lieu of a construction celebration for the project amid the COVID-19 situation, Nobles 2 Power Partners provided $30,000 in donations to first-responders and social services in Nobles County that have been responding to the pandemic.
In addition to the construction benefits, the project is anticipated to result in increased tax revenue of more than $1.1 million annually to local units of government and will diversify land use and provide stable income to landowners through lease payments.
The wind farm has also committed to a community fund that will benefit communities in the project area, including the townships of Bloom, Larkin, Lismore, Leota, Summit Lake and Wilmont. Nobles 2 would contribute $15,000 per year for 20 years. The first payment into the fund will take place within the first operational year.
About Nobles 2 Power Partners
Nobles 2 Power Partners, LLC was formed to build, own and operate a wind project in Nobles County, Minnesota. Nobles 2 Power Partners is comprised of affiliates of Tenaska, ALLETE, Inc. and Bright Canyon Energy. An affiliate of Tenaska serves as the managing partner.
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