Geronimo Energy inks agreements with Xcel for 400 MW wind energy

Under the agreement, 200 MW of wind energy will come from the Courtenay Wind Farm, located in Stutsman County, North Dakota. The wind farm consists of around 125 wind turbines and is expected to meet the power demand of over 60,000 homes, providing $850,000 in annual tax revenue.

The project will be constructed across a 25,000 acre-land leased from 60 landowners, and will create 200 construction jobs; once the wind farm is finished, 10 to 12 jobs will be created to maintain and operate the facility.

The other 200 MW will come from Odell Wind Farm, located in Jackson Watonwan and Cottonwood counties, Minnesota. Up to 125 wind turbines will be constructed across the 34,000 acres of leased land from over 175 landowners.

Each of these projects has a rated capacity of 200MW, comprising 125 wind turbines.

Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota president and CEO Dave Sparby said that the agreement is aimed at cutting down power costs for customers and diversify the company’s energy portfolio and narrow down carbon emissions.

“We’re proposing to add substantial amounts of wind power now to take advantage of very attractive prices for our customers that resulted from Congress’ extension of the federal renewable electricity Production Tax Credit,” added Sparby.

The Courtenay project will pay annual tax revenues of $850,000 and create 200 construction and 10 to 12 permanent jobs, while Odell Wind Farm will facilitate taxes of $840,000, creating 200 construction and 12 permanent jobs.

Geronimo Wind Energy president Blake Nixon noted: “Geronimo is excited to once again work with Xcel Energy and to deliver an additional 400 megawatts of long-term, low cost renewable energy to Xcel Energy’s customers.”