Tenaska’s 250MW Nobles 2 wind farm in southwest Minnesota is now fully operational.
Located near Wilmont in Nobles County, the site comprises 74 Vestas turbines.
The wind farm is owned by Nobles 2 Power Partners, a JV of Nebraska-based Tenaska, a subsidiary of Allete, and Bright Canyon Energy.
Over the past 14 months, the project has provided approximately 150 local jobs.
Some US$15.5m (€12.52m) in contracts have been awarded to businesses in the region.
The wind farm provides renewable energy under a 20-year PPA with Minnesota Power, a utility division of Allete.
Tenaska chief executive and vice chairman Jerry Crouse said: “From Day One, local leaders, landowners and the community have been open and receptive to wind development.
“We are excited to have worked with them to make the Nobles 2 wind farm a reality.
“We look forward to the many years of operation ahead, delivering renewable energy to Minnesota Power.”
Minnesota Power vice president of strategy and planning Julie Pierce added: “Nobles 2 will propel Minnesota Power to a 50% renewable energy milestone, the highest renewable percentage among Minnesota utilities.
“As we deliver more renewable energy to our customers, the people and communities near Nobles 2 will gain the economic benefits, including jobs, tax revenue and donations, of having this clean new power source in their region.
“In effect, Minnesotans from southwest Minnesota and northeastern Minnesota will share in the economic and environmental value of the renewable energy produced at Nobles 2.”
Bright Canyon Energy general manager Jason Smith said: “Nobles 2 is important to our company and to the customers of Minnesota Power, who will benefit for years to come from the clean energy produced by this wind farm.
“America’s energy supply is getting cleaner by the year, and we are proud to be a partner with Tenaska in advancing this goal.”