Xcel Energy has officially broken ground on the 150 MW Foxtail Wind project, located on 35,000 acres in central North Dakota.
West Fargo-based Wanzek Construction, a subsidiary of MasTec Inc., is building the project. The company is installing the 75 concrete foundations this summer and erecting the turbines and blades next year.
The project will begin operating late next year.
“We’re investing in North Dakota with Foxtail Wind and other projects that will provide millions of dollars in local lease payments and property taxes and deliver clean energy for our customers,” says Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy-Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota.
“A significant amount of time and effort has gone into this project by all of the stakeholders involved to get to this point,” remarks Chris Fox, vice president of construction with Wanzek. “As a North Dakota-based company, we look forward to working on such a great project in our home state.”
Approximately 100 construction workers will build the wind farm over 2018-2019, and an additional 10 workers will maintain and operate the facility long-term.
Photo: Wanzek Construction’s Chris Fox
