EDF Renewable Energy (EDF RE) and Otter Tail Power Co. have signed an asset purchase agreement by which EDF RE will construct the 150 MW Merricourt Wind Project and Otter Tail Power Co. will obtain project ownership, once complete.
According to EDF RE, the Merricourt Wind Project, located on approximately 13,700 acres south of Edgeley, N.D., in McIntosh and Dickey counties, will consist of 75 Vestas V110-2.0MW wind turbines, which are to be manufactured in Vestas’ Colorado-based facilities. As reported, the project also will create 150+ construction jobs and 10 long-term, full-time positions and will inject millions of dollars in economic benefits to the local area.
Upon commercial operation in 2019, renewable energy will be provided to approximately 65,000 homes in the Otter Tail Power Co. service territory.
Today, wind energy supplies approximately 19% of the Otter Tail Power Co.’s electricity generation. With this addition, customers will receive nearly 28% of their energy from wind.
Tim Rogelstad, president of Otter Tail Power Co., says, “Our North Dakota service area has some of the best wind resources in the country to produce low-cost energy. And, because of advances in technology, this wind farm will have a high energy output – even by North Dakota standards.”
The transaction closing is subject to conditions precedent.
