National Wind Watch: Wind Energy News » Foxtail Wind Farm

Two companies are working together to build a new wind farm in Dickey County, according to information from Xcel Energy.

Foxtail Wind, a planned 150-megawatt wind farm, would generate enough electricity for about 45,000 homes and employ between six and 10 people when operational, said Bryan Garner, a spokesperson for NextEra Energy Inc.

Garner said NextEra will develop and permit the wind farm, while Xcel Energy builds and operates the facility.

A site permit application for the project has not been submitted to the North Dakota Public Service Commission, according to Commissioner Brian Kalk.

While permitting is expected to be completed in 2017, no construction date has been determined, according to Matthew Lindstrom, media relations representative for Xcel Energy.

Garner said the project would utilize 65 wind turbines to produce 150 megawatts of electricity.

“We’re fairly early in the development stage,” Garner said. “There are not specific maps of the project at this time.”

Previous reports indicated the project could be located in southwest Dickey County and could be located near the Big Stone South to Ellendale Transmission Line.

Xcel and NextEra have cooperated on other projects.

“NextEra Energy Resources and Xcel Energy have worked together on numerous wind and solar projects over the past decade and we are pleased to partner once again on the Foxtail Wind Energy Center,” said John DiDonato, vice president of wind development for NextEra Energy Resources. “The project will create good jobs and provide millions of dollars in landowner payments and tax benefits to North Dakota communities, while generating affordable, clean energy for generations to come.”

NextEra also owns the North Dakota Wind Energy Center that operates 41 wind turbines that generate 61 megawatts of power in the Edgeley and Kulm area. That wind farm was built in 2003 by Florida Power and Light, which has since changed its name to NextEra.

“The technology has changed significantly since then,” Garner said. “Turbines are more efficient and able to generate more energy.”

Dickey County is also the home of two other wind farm projects.

Tatanka Wind Farm is located in southern Dickey County and extends into McIntosh County in North Dakota and McPherson County in South Dakota. Tatanka generates 180 megawatts of electricity and was completed in 2008.

The Merricourt Wind Farm was permitted in 2015, but construction has not begun, Kalk said. That wind farm will be located along the border of Dickey and McIntosh counties.