Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) recently signed a power purchase agreement with EDF Renewable Energy (EDF RE) to buy 100 megawatts (MW) of wind energy from the Stoneray Wind Project in Minnesota beginning in 2020.
Thanks in part to recent transmission upgrades throughout in rural areas of Minnesota, this project, located in Southwestern Minnesota was propelled forward. Construction is expected to commence in early 2018 on the nearly 50 wind turbine project, with hopes of having the facility commercial operational by December 2018.
The project should boost the local economy by bringing an expected 150+ construction jobs and 10 long-term, full-time positions in addition to the millions of dollars in economic benefits to the local area.
“Stoneray Wind is a big addition to SMMPA’s diverse renewable energy portfolio,” said SMMPA Executive Director and CEO Dave Geschwind, . “We’re glad to be working further with EDF RE to provide more Minnesota wind energy to our Members and economic benefits to southern Minnesota through this important project.”