Xcel Energy/enXco Merricourt Wind Project
General Information
Partnership: enXco will develop and construct the wind farm. Once developed, ownership will transfer to Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy company.
Investment: More than $400 million
Investment: Dickey & McIntosh counties, southeastern North Dakota
Size/scope: Total capacity of 150 megawatts, enough to serve approximately 43,500 homes. The project will consist of 100, 1.5 megawatt General Electric wind turbines. The GE turbine towers are 262 feet tall, and the units feature 126-foot long blades.
Economic Impact: According to national averages provided by the American Wind Energy Association, a 150 megawatt wind energy project would be expected to create approximately 150 construction jobs, 10 long-term operation and maintenance jobs and 300 manufacturing jobs. It would be expected to produce approximately $450,000 in annual farmer/landowner revenue.
Merricourt Wind Project Milestones
- October 2008 – Xcel Energy and enXco announce agreement
- December 2008 – Xcel Energy files with Minnesota and North Dakota regulators for project approval. enXco commences filing for project permits
- Mid-2009 – Regulatory action expected
- Late 2010 – Groundbreaking
- December 2011 – Commercial operations begin
National Leadership: Xcel Energy is the nation’s No. 1 wind power provider, according to the American Wind Energy Association. By the end of 2008, the company will have nearly 3,000 megawatts of wind power capacity in its eight-state service territory. The addition of the Nobles Wind Project in Minnesota and the Merricourt Wind Project in North Dakota will increase that capacity by more than 10 percent.
CapX 2020 Transmission Project Milestones
- August 2007 – Minnesota Certificate of Need filing, Minnesota
- December 2008 – Minnesota Route Permit application filing, St. Cloud to Monticello (12-18 month process)
- Early 2009 – Minnesota Route Permit application filing, St. Cloud to Fargo
- Early 2009 – Certificate of Corridor Compatibility filing in North Dakota
- Second Quarter 2009 – Minnesota Certificate of Need decision expected
- 2011 – Monticello to St. Cloud line in-service
- 2013 – St. Cloud to Alexandria line in-service
- 2015 – Alexandria to Fargo line in-service