Xcel Energy’s 200 MW Courtenay Wind Farm now online, producing low-cost, clean energy

Xcel Energy announced today that its Courtenay Wind Farm is fully operational. The 200-megawatt project is part of Xcel Energy’s plan to provide its Upper Midwest customers with reliable, cost-effective energy now and in the future.

The Courtenay Wind Farm is located near Courtenay, north of Jamestown, a wind abundant area ideal for wind development. There are 100 wind turbines covering 25,000 acres owned by 60 landowners. The wind farm is now delivering enough energy, on average, to power approximately 100,000 homes.

“We’re excited to invest in this project in North Dakota and we appreciate the landowners and policymakers who helped make this project happen,” said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy-North Dakota. “We see wind energy as a low cost and clean part of our energy future, one that will benefit this state as well as the communities and customers we serve.”

In addition to producing competitively priced energy, Courtenay Wind Farm serves as an economic driver for the regional economy, generating about $850,000 annually in local tax revenues. Over the course of 20 years, landowners involved with the project will receive a total of $26.5 million. The project employed 200 people during peak construction and created 10 full-time jobs.

Xcel Energy added the Border Winds Farm in Rolette County, North Dakota to its wind energy fleet at the end of 2015. The 150-megawatt wind farm is delivering enough clean, renewable energy to power more than 78,000 homes and generates about $600,000 in local tax revenue for the community.

In October, Xcel Energy proposed building four more wind farms in the Upper Midwest, including one in southeastern North Dakota. Foxtail Wind, a 150-megawatt project in Dickey County, will require North Dakota Public Service Commission approval.

Project History

Development of the Courtenay Wind Farm began in 2008 with Geronimo Energy working with landowners, businesses, contractors, legislators and other members of Stutsman County. Xcel Energy entered into a long?term power purchase agreement with Geronimo Energy in 2013 and became the owner of the project in 2015. Wanzek Construction, based in Fargo, began to build the wind farm in the fall of 2015. To see a time lapse video of the Courtenay Wind Farm construction, visit https://youtu.be/5JRGIEiD_vc

A celebratory ribbon cutting to thank everyone involved in this project is being planned for spring 2017.