By Scout Nelson
South Dakota regulators have approved a permit for a wind energy project featuring 68 turbines in Deuel County. The project, led by Chicago-based Invenergy through its local subsidiary, Deuel Harvest Wind Energy South, will span 46 square miles of private land near Brandt. The estimated investment for the project is $621 million.
This development is a continuation of Invenergy’s wind initiatives in the region. It follows the 109-turbine Deuel Harvest Wind Farm, completed in 2021 and later sold to Southern Power. The new project will be located about six miles south of the existing wind farm and near the Tatanka Ridge wind project. With its completion, Deuel County will house a total of 233 wind turbines. The facility is expected to contribute up to 260 megawatts of electricity to the grid, strengthening South Dakota’s position in renewable energy. Currently, the state ranks 13th nationwide in installed wind energy capacity, with 3,462 megawatts in operation.
The permit includes over 50 conditions, ensuring minimal disruption to local agricultural activities, controlling construction hours, protecting wildlife, and regulating noise levels. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is assessing any aeronautical concerns related to the turbines. “How many of the turbine locations are actually constructed will be determined by additional FAA evaluation and noise modeling based on turbine type,” said Commission Vice Chairman Chris Nelson.
Financially, the project is expected to bring significant benefits to the local economy. Invenergy estimates that landowners will receive $78 million in payments over three decades, while local governments will gain $38 million in tax revenue. The construction phase will generate approximately 243 jobs, with eight permanent positions for long-term operations.
Following the permit approval, Invenergy expressed appreciation for the decision and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting South Dakota’s renewable energy growth. The company emphasized its role in advancing clean energy while positively impacting the local economy and communities.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: South Dakota, Energy