PSC takes testimony on application for wind farm

By: Keith Norman, The Jamestown Sun  

VALLEY CITY, N.D. — The North Dakota Public Service Commission took testimony concerning a sighting application for the Ashtabula III wind farm north of Valley City Tuesday. If approved, construction could start on the 43-turbine, $140-million project by Sept. 1, according to Scott Scolvill, director of wind development for NextEra Energy of Florida.

NextEra Energy will submit some late fillings and a PSC ruling is anticipated in late July or early August.

“Across the board we classify North Dakota as one of the best states,” he said. “It’s easier to get investors interested because we’re more comfortable with our wind data here.”

The Ashtabula III project is an expansion of Ashtabula I and Ashtabula II, also known as the Luverne Wind Farm. Ashtabula I is 131 turbines with 32 owned by Otter Tail Power Co. and Ashtabula II is 113 turbines with 33 owned by Otter Tail Power Co.

“Expansions offer some economy of scale,” Scolvill said. “And when we build near our existing projects we know our wind resources.”

The Ashtabula III project has a face plate capacity of 69 megawatts which can ease its connection to the current power grid.

“These smaller 50 to 150 megawatt projects can still be fit on the grid,” said Tony Clark, public service commissioner. “The bigger projects of 1,000 or 2,000 megawatts have a tough time being hooked into the grid.”

Clark said the problem is transmission line capacity running out of North Dakota.

“Substantial transmission problems need to be solved to get the power out of the state,” Scolvill said. “There is some long term progress towards solving this but we need more progress in the short term.”

Commissioner Kevin Cramer said one project is in the works in Minnesota that may allow more wind energy development.

“CapX2020 is a transmission expansion project that they say will run from Fargo to Minneapolis,” Cramer said.

The project plans include a 345-kilovolt line with completion planned for sometime in 2015.

Transmission capacity is also delaying the construction of at least one North Dakota wind farm.

“We’re still working on transmission arrangements for the Roughrider wind farm,” Scolvill said. “We’re working on the costs of connecting the project to the grid.”

The Rough Rider Wind I project was approved by the PSC in 2009 for construction in western Dickey County. The project included 116 turbines with a capacity of 175 MW.

Despite difficulties with transmission capacity some wind farms are being built.

NextEra has a wind farm under construction in Burleigh County and a sighting hearing is scheduled for August for a planned wind farm near Ashley.

“We have a hearing in Ashley on Aug. 23 for CPV Renewable Energy,” Cramer said. “I anticipate they will start construction before the first of the year.”

At stake for companies is a federal payment based on the construction costs.

“It’s a straight-up 30 percent cost of construction payback,” Cramer said. “It’s based on when they start construction plus there is a 15 percent state payment over five years.”

While utility company interest in North Dakota wind energy is steady the interest by the public, at least in regions with a history of wind farm projects, seems to be declining.

“It all depends on the project,” Clark said. “We had a hearing in Burleigh County where we had people who stood up and weren’t enamored with the project.”

Clark also said projects in more rural areas had fewer concerns expressed by the residents.

Commissioner Brian Kalk hoped for more public participation.

“People have got to come to the hearings,” he said.

Kalk noted that the hearing for Ashtabula I was held in a Valley City auditorium with an estimated 200 people present. The hearing Tuesday was held in the Barnes County Commission chambers with about a dozen people present, some of which were associated with NextEra Energy.

“The companies are doing a better job working with the local stake holders and alleviating their concerns,” Kalk said. “And the local residents are becoming more comfortable with wind energy.”

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at (701) 952-8452 or by e-mail at knorman@jamestownsun.com