The Governor of Montana and Senator Tester celebrated Montana’s newest wind power facility. Pattern Energy Group held a Grand Opening Ceremony for its 79.75-MW Stillwater Wind facility located in Stillwater County, Montana.
“Montana ought to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to realizing renewable energy opportunities – and we can do so with new facilities like Stillwater Wind,” said Governor Steve Bullock. “We have incredible wind potential in this state and I look forward to how this facility will benefit our clean air and water, grow our economy and local revenue, and support jobs in the community.”
“This facility shows that, with responsible energy development, we can have the best of both worlds,” said Senator Jon Tester. “We can create new jobs and economic opportunities, while also working to address climate change.”
“Our first wind power facility in Montana is now generating strong benefits for the state, including millions of dollars in tax revenue, while producing enough clean energy to power 23,000 homes each year without any emissions,” said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy. “Montana has one of the strongest wind resources in the U.S. and we’re proud to be harnessing the power of its wind through this new facility.”
Stillwater Wind is utilizing a total of 31 Siemens Gamesa wind turbines comprised of five 2.3-MW turbines with 108-m rotors and 26 2.625-MW turbines with 120-m rotors.
Construction of the project created approximately 80 jobs within the local and regional communities and it is employing up to six full-time personnel during operations. The two construction contractors responsible for construction of the Stillwater Wind project, Dick Anderson Construction and EPC Services Company, are both headquartered in Montana.
Over the first 25 years of the facility’s operational life it is expected to produce more than $18 million in tax revenue. The local county will also receive impact fee payments over the first three years, in addition to royalty payments to participating landowners.
Stillwater Wind has a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement for 100% of the energy produced. The facility interconnects to the local transmission provider’s 230-kV transmission line via a newly constructed 230-kV switching station.
News item from Pattern
Filed Under: News, Projects
