Orsted has taken a final investment decision on the 367MW Western Trail wind project in Texas.
The project, located near Orsted’s Lockett wind project, is slated to reach commercial operation in 2021.
The wind farm will supply power in the ERCOT wholesale power market in Texas.
Orsted has also completed the 103MW Willow Creek wind farm in the US state of South Dakota.
The wind farm, in Butte County, is the second Orsted asset in the Southwest Power Pool territory.
Together Western Trail and Willow Creek add 470MW to Orsted’s US onshore wind portfolio.
Orsted US onshore chief operating office Neil O’Donovan said the completion of Willow Creek marks the “successful transition of another safe, on-time, on-budget project in 2020” into the company’s operational fleet.
“The team’s adaptability and resilience in delivering the Willow Creek project during this challenging period while working with multiple new partners is particularly satisfying,” O’Donovan said.
Willow Creek will generate new property tax revenue that can support local services and provide support to project landowners, who will receive long-term rental income by hosting the turbines.
BHE Renewables, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company, provided tax equity for Willow Creek as part of a portfolio with the 230MW Plum Creek project in Nebraska, which was commissioned in June this year.
With the completion of Willow Creek and addition of Western Trail Wind, Orsted’s onshore business now has 2.7GW in operation and under construction.