OMAHA, Neb., June 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
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SOURCE Nobles 2 Power
Partners