Nobles 2 Power Partners, an affiliate of independent energy company Tenaska, has signed a long-term power purchase agreement with Duluth-based Minnesota Power, a utility division of ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE), to deliver 250 megawatts (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.
"We are pleased to be working with Minnesota Power to bring more renewable generation to the region," said Joel Link, vice president in Tenaska's Strategic Development & Acquisitions Group. "This project exemplifies our ability to capitalize on 30 years of success in greenfield development and power generation in the growing wind energy sector."
Tenaska, based in Omaha, Nebraska, has successfully developed approximately 10,000 MW of natural gas-fueled and renewable power projects. The company has mid- to advanced-stage wind development projects in the Midwest and is considering opportunities across the United States.
The Nobles 2 project will complement Minnesota Power's EnergyForward strategy that has the company on pace to deliver 44 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2025, reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030 and exceed the state of Minnesota's renewable energy goals.
"Capturing this competitive wind resource will strengthen Minnesota Power's growing renewable portfolio and add geographic diversity to our wind sector," said Julie Pierce, Minnesota Power vice president-strategy and planning. "Building this new relationship and a broader renewable energy mix will benefit Minnesota Power customers by adding more safe, clean and reliable power."
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.
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 $400 million. The project will create up to 230 jobs during peak construction and up to 20 full-time jobs when operational, in addition to providing opportunities for local businesses to provide goods and services for the project.
About Nobles 2 Power Partners
Nobles 2 Power Partners was formed to build, own and operate a wind project in Nobles County, Minnesota. Nobles 2 Power Partners is an affiliate of Tenaska, an energy company based in Omaha, Nebraska. Tenaska and its affiliates have developed approximately 10,000 megawatts (MW) of natural gas-fueled and renewable power generation, and currently manage operations for approximately 7,000 MW of power generation consisting of nine power plants. For more information, visit www.tenaska.com.
CONTACT
Timberly Ross
Office: 402-691-9517
tross@tenaska.com
