The Nobles 2 wind farm, a 250-megawatt (MW) facility in southwest Minnesota, has become fully operational.
Located near Wilmont in Nobles County, Nobles 2 is comprised of 74 Vestas turbines. The wind farm is owned by Nobles 2 Power Partners which is comprised of affiliates of Tenaska, a subsidiary of ALLETE and Bright Canyon Energy.
“From Day One landowners and the community have been open and receptive to wind development. We are excited to have worked with them to make the Nobles 2 wind farm a reality. We look forward to the many years of operation ahead, delivering renewable energy to Minnesota Power.”
Tenaska CEO and vice chairman Jerry Crouse.
The wind farm provides renewable energy under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Minnesota Power, a utility division of ALLETE.
“Nobles 2 will propel Minnesota Power to a 50 percent renewable energy milestone, the highest renewable percentage among Minnesota utilities. As we deliver more renewable energy to our customers, the people and communities near Nobles 2 will gain the economic benefits, including jobs, tax revenue and donations, of having this clean new power source in their region. In effect, Minnesotans from southwest Minnesota and northeastern Minnesota will share in the economic and environmental value of the renewable energy produced at Nobles 2.”
Julie Pierce, Minnesota Power vice president of strategy and planning.
“Nobles 2 is important to our company and to the customers of Minnesota Power, who will benefit for years to come from the clean energy produced by this wind farm. America’s energy supply is getting cleaner by the year, and we are proud to be a partner with Tenaska in advancing this goal.”
Said Jason Smith, general manager for Bright Canyon Energy.
Construction of the Nobles 2 wind farm began in August 2019. Vestas supplied the wind turbines and is providing maintenance services for the project. Mortenson is the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor.
Construction of the wind farm represented a significant investment in the regional economy. Over the past 14 months, the project has provided approximately 150 local jobs. Some $15.5 million in contracts have been awarded to businesses in the region.
In lieu of a construction celebration for the project amid the COVID-19 situation, Nobles 2 Power Partners provided $30,000 in donations to first-responders and social services in Nobles County that have been responding to the pandemic.
During operation, the Nobles 2 wind farm is supported by a team of 14 local employees staffed though NAES Corporation and Vestas. The facility is anticipated to result in increased tax revenue of more than $1.1 million annually to local units of government and will diversify land use and provide stable income to landowners through lease payments.
The wind farm has committed to a community fund that will benefit communities in the project area, including the townships of Bloom, Larkin, Lismore, Leota, Summit Lake and Wilmont. Nobles 2 would contribute $15,000 per year for 20 years. The first payment into the fund will take place within the first operational year.
