Second Major Clean Energy Project Planned for Southern Idaho

With the potential to bring approximately 800 megawatts of renewable energy to power markets across the West, the Salmon Falls Wind Project provides an opportunity for a meaningful contribution toward a cleaner electric grid while providing significant economic benefits to Southern Idaho.

The Salmon Falls proposal is uniquely situated at the confluence of a number of key siting characteristics, including favorable wind resources, availability of suitable land, compatibility with existing land uses, a general absence of sensitiv biological resources, and proximity to existing and future planned high voltage transmission lines to deliver the wind energy to market.

This project along with MVE’s Lava Ridge Wind Project under development southeast of Shoshone, Idaho will contribute to satisfying the critical need for zero carbon electricity throughout the West. Tens of thousands of megawatts of new wind energy projects are needed in coming years to satisfy renewable energy goals in the region.

The Salmon Falls project represents a significant investment in clean energy infrastructure and will generate economic benefits that are sustainable for the long term. Benefits would include hundreds of well-paid construction jobs, up to 20 permanent jobs, and millions of dollars in local economic impact annually, including a substantial boost to local and state tax revenue. Tax revenues generated during the construction period are estimated to exceed $46 million. Furthermore, during the operations phase, local taxing districts would be the beneficiaries of new revenues, including more than $600,000 annually to the Filer School District, as well as significant amounts to the Twin Falls Highway District, the College of Southern Idaho, and the Salmon Tract Fire taxing district.

“The need for renewable energy across the West continues to grow,” noted MVE project director Luke Papez. “Idaho has been a longstanding leader in the generation of clean energy and the Salmon Falls project continues this legacy, positioning Idaho at the forefront of production of wind energy in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner, while supporting significant increases in economic benefits that few other opportunities can provide.”

MVE is in the initial stages of the development of the project, a period that includes interactions with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as broader outreach to local stakeholders. Construction of the project could begin as early as 2024.

“We look forward to continuing our coordination with communities in the Magic Valley to make the Salmon Falls Wind Project a success,” said Papez.