EDF Renewables North America has announced that the 150MW Merricourt Wind Project in North Dakota, US has achieved commercial operation phase.
The project has now been delivered to Otter Tail Corporation’s subsidiary Otter Tail Power Company.
It was developed by EDF Renewables under an asset purchase agreement and turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) agreement with Otter Tail Power.
EDF Renewables North Region Development vice-president Kate O’Hair said: “North Dakota’s abundant wind resource and supportive regulatory environment combine to create an opportunity to provide low-cost, reliable clean energy to utilities like Otter Tail Power Company.
“After many years of development, we are thrilled to see this project fully operational. Our gratitude goes out to Otter Tail Power Company for making this project a reality, and especially the local community and landowners who have supported Merricourt Wind through the years.”
Located southwest of Kulm, the Merricourt Wind Project features 75 Vestas wind turbines, which have the capacity to generate clean energy that is sufficient to meet the energy requirements of nearly 65,000 homes annually.
During the construction phase, the project is said to have created 260 construction jobs as well as provided economic benefits to the local area.
Otter Tail Power Company president Tim Rogelstad said: “Completing the Merricourt Wind Energy Center marks a major milestone.
“At approximately $260m, Merricourt is the largest capital investment in Otter Tail Power Company’s history.”
In August this year, Brazilian renewable energy company Omega Geração signed a R$661.7m ($118m) binding agreement to acquire a 50% stake in EDF Renewables’ wind farms portfolio in Bahia.
Under the deal, Omega will acquire the interest in the Ventos da Bahia 1 and 2 complexes, which have a combined capacity of 182.6MW.
