The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has approved the construction of the 200-megawatt Sweetland Wind Farm in Miller, S.D.
The Sweetland Wind Farm project will span 20,000 acres in southeastern Hand County and include up to 71 GE 2.82-megawatt series wind turbines. The facility will cost an estimated $240 million.
The application for the permit was filed by Sweetland Wind Farm in March. With the approval, Scout Clean Energy, a Colorado-based renewable energy developer-owner-operator, will be able to take the power to market, according to the company.
Scout Clean Energy is a portfolio company of global investment manager Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners. The company is in the process of developing a 2,400-megawatt portfolio of wind energy projects across 10 states.
Scout Clean Energy’s CEO and founder Michael Ruckerbelieves the Sweetland project’s top-tier wind resource and strategic location in the southwest power pool make it attractive for potential investors looking to expand their renewable energy footprint.
"We have already had significant interest in the project and are working toward completing a power purchase agreement,” said Rucker.
The project is expected to create 200 temporary construction jobs, 10 permanent full-time positions, and generate $35 million in tax revenue over the project’s lifecycle.
Construction will be managed by Scout Clean Energy and is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
