Scout Clean Energy has secured approval for a construction permit for its 200MW Sweetland wind farm in South Dakota, US.
The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) granted approval for the permit for the project, which will be built in Miller and will comprise up to 71 GE 2.82 MW series turbines.
The approval means Scout now can take the power to market and begin planning for construction as early as 2020.
Scout Clean Energy chief executive Michael Rucker said: “We are excited to have received the PUC’s unanimous approval for the state construction permits for the Sweetland wind farm.”
Sweetland filed its application with the PUC in March and a public input meeting was held in Miller in April.
Prior to receiving PUC Commission approval, the project worked extensively with staff at the commission, the local community and stakeholders to ensure all concerns were addressed.
Rucker added: “We are very fortunate to have a 200MW project fully permitted in South Dakota.
“The project’s top tier wind resource and strategic location in the Southwest Power Pool make it attractive for potential investors looking to expand their renewable energy footprint in the region.”
The developer is working towards signing a power purchase agreement.
The project will result in 200 temporary construction jobs and 10 permanent full-time positions once the facility begins operation.
The planned $240m facility represents a significant investment in South Dakota and several communities in Hand County, according to Rucker.
“Sweetland is an important catalyst for Scout and paves the way for several additional Scout wind projects that are nearing financial close and which are scheduled to commence construction over the coming months,” he added.
Scout is a portfolio company of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, a global investment manager specializing in lower carbon and renewable energy infrastructure assets.