Xcel plans new wind farm near Watertown

From staff reports

Xcel Energy plans to build a 300-megawatt wind farm near Watertown.

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The project, called Dakota Range, is expected to power more than 157,000 Upper Midwest homes.

Dakota Range is the first publicly announced wind project to advance under the phasedown of federal tax credits. According to Xcel, even without full tax credit, the project’s cost is low enough to compete with other fuel sources, an investment that is expected to lower customer bills over the project’s life.

The project, developed by Apex Clean Energy, will be located on a 40,000-acre site 20 miles north of Watertown. It’s expected to generate $37 million in property taxes and $62 million in landowner payments. Once construction starts, between 150 and 300 construction jobs are expected to be created. Dakota Range will have 11 full-time employees when it starts service in 2021, pending regulatory and permit approvals.

“This announcement furthers our commitment to South Dakota as we invest in the region and bring more cost-effective renewable energy onto our system while keeping bills low for our customers,” said Chris Clark, president of Xcel Energy-South Dakota. “Our customers count on us to provide reliable, affordable and clean energy, and this investment will do just that.”

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Xcel plans new wind farm near Watertown

Xcel Energy plans to build a 300-megawatt wind farm near Watertown.

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