Wind energy corporation Minnesota Power prepares to construct a 200 megawatt wind farm named Longspur, located in North Dakota.
In the heart of North Dakota, the proposed Longspur Wind project by Minnesota Power, a subsidiary of ALLETE Inc., is currently in the permitting stage, with construction slated to begin in 2026, subject to regulatory approval [1][2].
This ambitious project, set in Morton and Mercer Counties, involves installing 45 turbines with a total capacity of 200 MW. The wind energy generated will be supplied to Minnesota Power's 150,000 customers in northeast Minnesota [1][2].
The Longspur Wind project is strategically positioned adjacent to Minnesota Power's existing Bison Wind Energy Center, which boasts 165 turbines generating around 500 MW of wind power [1][2]. The project will tap into existing infrastructure, including a 465-mile transmission line from North Dakota to Minnesota.
Minnesota Power's commitment to community involvement is evident in their plans for landowner consultations and public meetings [1]. This initiative is part of their broader EnergyForward programme, aimed at providing resilient, reliable, and cost-effective clean energy.
The Longspur Wind project is eligible for the federal clean energy production tax credit, contingent on either beginning construction within one year of the recent congressional budget bill or commissioning the facility by the end of 2027 [1][2].
As of now, neither Morton County nor Mercer County has issued permits for the Longspur Wind project, and the North Dakota Public Service Commission has not yet been approached for regulatory approval [1][2]. The project's successful completion hinges on these approvals and the timely commencement of construction in 2026.
Josh Skelton, COO of Minnesota Power and VP at parent company ALLETE Inc., emphasised that the Longspur Wind project underscores their commitment to keeping customer bills low while advancing the clean-energy transition [1].
[1] Minnesota Power. (n.d.). Longspur Wind Project. Retrieved from https://www.mnpower.com/our-company/our-projects/longspur-wind-project
[2] North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. (n.d.). Longspur Wind Project. Retrieved from https://www.nd.gov/deq/applications/wind/longspur-wind-project/
The Longspur Wind project, located in Morton and Mercer Counties, will not only involve the construction of 45 turbines but also the integration of renewable-energy into the existing infrastructure, such as the 465-mile transmission line from North Dakota to Minnesota. This project, in conjunction with the finance sector, could significantly contribute to the industry's clean-energy transition, as it is eligible for the federal clean energy production tax credit. The commitment to this project reflects Minnesota Power's long-term ambition for community involvement and the EnergyForward program's goal of providing resilient, reliable, and cost-effective clean energy.
