Basin Electric signs contract for wind energy

Basin Electric has signed a power purchase agreement with a new wind farm to be developed in South Dakota.

The project is co-owned by Fagen Inc. of Granite Falls, Minn., and the principals of Dakota Plains Energy in Aberdeen, S.D. It’s scheduled to go online by the end of 2015.

Dakota Plains Energy President Rob Johnson says the Campbell County wind farm will provide 98 megawatts of energy to nearly 30,000 homes in the Upper Midwest.

Basin’s announcement follows its November announcement to enter into two power purchase agreements for an additional 278 megawatts of wind power from projects in North Dakota.

Basin CEO and General Manager Andrew Serri says the projects will help bring the renewable portion of the company’s generating portfolio up to more than 1,100 megawatts.