FERGUS FALLS, Minn. 鈥� Multiple commercial solar projects in North Dakota and Minnesota that were previously stalled have found new life.
Otter Tail Power of Fergus Falls plans to build two new solar facilities for its energy generation fleet, the company announced on Dec. 9.
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The move would add 345 megawatts of solar power to meet future energy needs of customers.
The company asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to determine that costs associated with Abercrombie Solar and Solway Solar are eligible for cost recovery.
Otter Tail Power President Tim Rogelstad said the facilities fit the requirements of the company鈥檚 recently approved Minnesota Integrated Resource Plan, which outlines the combination of resources needed to meet energy needs for its customers for the next 15 years.
鈥淲e expect that 57% of our energy generation will come from renewable resources by 2030, while ensuring electric service continues to be safe, reliable and economical,鈥� Rogelstad said.
The larger of the two Otter Tail projects is planned to be built in Richland County, North Dakota, northwest of Wahpeton.
Abercrombie Solar, currently known as the Flickertail Solar Project, is a 295-megawatt solar generation facility under development in Abercrombie Township.
Otter Tail Power has signed an agreement with Flickertail to buy the development assets, once permits and regulatory approvals are received and other contractual requirements are met, with the intention of building the facility, a company news release said.
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鈥淲e're looking forward to engaging with landowners and the township once we close on the development assets,鈥� Otter Tail Power spokesperson Rebecca Michael told The Forum.
The Flickertail project, previously planned for
Savion, based in Kansas City, Missouri, proposed a 350-megawatt solar project, which was clouded by a lack of an ordinance to allow such projects and by the possibility of $17.5 million in application fees.
Expected to be completed in 2028, Otter Tail Power estimates its project will create approximately 300 construction jobs at peak construction and provide $23.8 million in local and state tax benefits over the 35-year life of the facility.
Otter Tail also plans a 50-megawatt solar generation facility in Beltrami County, Minnesota, near Bemidji.
Solway Solar would be built in Lammers Township near Solway and could be fully operational in 2026, depending on the timing of project approvals, the company said.
鈥淭his location offers an opportunity to add solar generation where transmission interconnection facilities already exist, which helps keep costs low for our customers,鈥� Rogelstad said in the release.
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Otter Tail Power estimates the creation of 70 construction jobs during the peak of the nine-month construction period, and $4.2 million in local and state tax benefits over the 35-year life of the facility.
Meanwhile, another solar power project has been revived in Cass County, North Dakota.
Harmony Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid Renewables Development, is planned for a site northwest of Mapleton.
The company is seeking a new, 鈥渞efreshed鈥� letter of support from Cass County,
Harmony Solar would build a 200-megawatt solar energy conversion facility in Harmony Township, with construction beginning as early as mid-2025, company documents stated.
The company estimates the project to generate tax revenue of around $500,000 annually to the Central Cass and Mapleton school districts, Cass County, Harmony Township and the state of North Dakota.
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