Xcel Energy has started construction of the 150MW Foxtail wind farm in North Dakota.
Wanzek Construction, a subsidiary of MasTec, is building the project carrying out installation of 75 concrete foundations this summer.
The same company will erect the turbines next year, with commercial operations planned for late 2019.
About 100 workers will be employed during construction, with 10 full-time jobs created once the wind farm is operational.
Foxtail is part of a 1.85GW of new wind projects Xcel Energy is adding in the upper midwestof the US in the next few years.
Xcel Energy Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota president Chris Clark said: “We’re investing in North Dakota with Foxtail Wind and other projects that will provide millions of dollars in local lease payments and property taxes and deliver clean energy for our customers.”
Local landowners will receive $30m in lease payments over the next 30 years, and local governments $20m in property taxes as a result of the project.
US Senator Heidi Heitkamp said: “In North Dakota there is no shortage of wind, and when we can harness this natural force, it powers homes and communities, and creates thousands of jobs as part of a true-all-of-the-above energy strategy.”
Image: Xcel
Xcel grooms Dakota Foxtail
By EBS