Tenaska signs PPA for 250-MW Minnesota wind project

Nobles 2 Power Partners, an affiliate of independent energy company Tenaska, has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Duluth-based Minnesota Power, a utility division of ALLETE, Inc., to deliver 250 MW of renewable power from a wind project in southwest Minnesota.

The Nobles 2 project, currently in advanced development, is located near Wilmont in Nobles County. Under the terms of the 20-year power purchase agreement, the project is anticipated to be operational in December 2019.

The facility will consist of up to 125 wind turbines. Vestas is anticipated to supply the wind turbines and provide maintenance services for the project.

Construction and operation of the Nobles 2 project is expected to boost the local economy, with a total estimated cost of approximately US$400 million.

The Nobles 2 project is part of a wind development portfolio that Tenaska acquired last fall from Minneapolis-based developer PRC Wind, which continues to provide development support services for the project.

The Nobles 2 project will interconnect to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) regional transmission system. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2018.

Joel Link, vice president in Tenaska’s Strategic Development & Acquisitions Group, said: 

“We are pleased to be working with Minnesota Power to bring more renewable generation to the region. This project exemplifies our ability to capitalize on 30 years of success in greenfield development and power generation in the growing wind energy sector.”

Julie Pierce, Minnesota Power vice president-strategy and planning, commented:

“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.”