Engie Wins South Dakota Approval for 250-Megawatt Wind Project

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission on July 24 granted a permit allowing Triple H Wind Project LLC to construct a 250-megawatt wind energy facility in Hyde County at an estimated cost $300 million.

Triple H Wind, a subsidiary of Engie North America Inc., has entered into two 30-year power purchase agreements to sell the output of the project, which is expected to be completed in 2020. The facility will supply 150 megawatts to Walmart and 48 megawatts to a confidential institutional buyer. The remaining 52 megawatts will be sold on a merchant basis.

The permit is subject to 41 conditions including establishing an escrow agreement with the commission to cover future decommissioning costs. Minimizing interference with agricultural operations, adhering to noise and shadow flicker thresholds, preventing whooping crane collisions, detecting icing conditions on turbine blades are among the conditions to address. The proposed project will include up to 92 turbines spread over an area of nearly 27,250 acres.