A regional electric provider in Minnesota is planning a 200-megawatt wind project in two North Dakota counties.
Minnesota Power, the utility division of Duluth-based energy company Allete, said in a news release that construction of the 45-turbine Longspur Wind project is expected to begin in 2026, contingent on regulatory approvals in North Dakota and Minnesota.
The project is planned for North Dakota's Morton and Mercer counties, near Minnesota Power’s Bison Wind Energy Center. It will use an existing 465-mile transmission line to move power from North Dakota to northern Minnesota.
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Minnesota Power estimates that the project will become operational in late 2027, which means it would be eligible for soon-to-expire federal tax credits.
During construction, the project is expected to create hundreds of union jobs, the news release says, and once it's operational, it will contribute millions of dollars in tax revenue to local schools, infrastructure projects and other community services.
In 2020, Minnesota Power became the first electric utility in Minnesota to deliver 50% renewable energy to customers, the news release says. The addition of 200 megawatts of wind energy will help meet its goal of delivering 80% renewable energy by 2030.
How much wind energy is produced in Minnesota and North Dakota?
In North Dakota, wind energy makes up nearly 35% of the electric grid mix, with 3,665 megawatts of installed capacity, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Similarly, wind energy makes up about 25% of the electric grid mix in Minnesota, with 4,184 megawatts of installed capacity, plus another 340 megawatts under construction.
What states have the most wind turbines?
Texas has the most wind turbines of any state, with more active wind turbines than the next three top states combined. Here's how Minnesota and North Dakota compare, according to Choose Energy, an energy broker.
Texas: 19,415
Iowa: 6,472
Oklahoma: 5,597
California: 5,510
Kansas: 4,415
Illinois: 3,837
Colorado: 2,908
Minnesota: 2,736
North Dakota: 2,169
Oregon: 2,173
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Minnesota Power announces plans for wind project in North Dakota
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