Xcel Energy to build 300-megawatt wind farm north of Watertown SD
The company on Wednesday announced plans to build a new 300-megawatt wind farm north of Watertown.
The “Dakota Range I and II” project will produce enough energy to power more than 157,000 homes.
“Our customers count on us to provide reliable, affordable and clean energy, and this investment will do just that,” Xcel President Chris Clark said in a news release.
The Dakota Range project marks the second major wind farm Xcel is building in South Dakota.
In March, the company announced a 600-megawatt wind farm in Codington, Deuel and Grant counties. That project — called the Crown Ridge Wind Project — is expected to have more than 100 wind turbines and produce enough energy to power more than 300,000 homes.
Previously: Xcel Energy plans largest-ever wind farm in S.D.
“This announcement furthers our commitment to South Dakota as we invest in the region and bring more cost-effective renewable energy on to our system while keeping bills low for our customers,” Clark said.
Dakota Range will be located on a 40,000-acre site 20 miles north of Watertown. It’s being developed by Apex Clean Energy, an energy company based in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“Together, we will provide new local jobs and a significant source of long-term revenue for Grant and Roberts counties, helping drive the South Dakota economy forward,” said Mark Goodwin, president and CEO of Apex.
Dakota Range is expected to be in service in 2021, pending state and local regulatory and permit approvals.