Nobles 2 signs PPA for 250MW Minnesota wind project

Nobles 2 Power Partners has agreed to supply power generated from a 250MW wind project in southwest Minnesota to American utility Minnesota Power.

According to the affiliate of Nebraska-based independent energy company Tenaska, the power purchase agreement with Minnesota Power is for 20 years.

The Nobles 2 wind project will complement the EnergyForward strategy of Minnesota Power which aims to source 44% of energy supplied to customers from renewable sources by 2025. The strategy also aims at cutting down on carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 and surpass the renewable energy goals of the state of Minnesota.

Minnesota Power strategy and planning vice president Julie Pierce said: "Capturing this competitive wind resource will strengthen Minnesota Power's growing renewable portfolio and add geographic diversity to our wind sector.

"Building this new relationship and a broader renewable energy mix will benefit Minnesota Power customers by adding more safe, clean and reliable power."

Located near Wilmont in Nobles County, the new wind project is in advance stage of development according to Nobles 2 Power Partners.

Built at a cost of around $400m, the wind project is expected to create a total of 250 jobs with most of them pertaining to construction.

It will feature 125 wind turbines which are expected to be supplied by Vestas. The Danish wind turbine manufacturer is also likely to handle the maintenance services of the power plant.

The Nobles 2 wind project is part of the wind development portfolio acquired by Tenaska last fall from PRC Wind which has been entrusted to provide development support services for Nobles 2.

Tenaska Strategic Development & Acquisitions Group vice president Joel Link said: "This project exemplifies our ability to capitalize on 30 years of success in greenfield development and power generation in the growing wind energy sector."

The Minnesota wind project is likely to be commissioned by the end of 2019 and will be connected to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) regional transmission system.