EDF Renewable Energy Signs Agreement With Otter Tail Power Company

EDF Renewable Energy and Otter Tail Power Company today announced the signing of an Asset Purchase Agreement by which EDF RE will construct the 150 megawatt (MW) Merricourt Wind Project. Upon completion, the wind project will be turned over to Otter Tail Power Company. The transaction closing is subject to conditions precedent.  

Merricourt Wind Project, located on approximately 13,700 acres south of Edgeley, North Dakota, in McIntosh and Dickey Counties, will consist of 75 Vestas V110-2.0MW wind turbines. The wind turbines are expected to be manufactured in Vestas’ Colorado-based facilities. The Project further will create 150+ construction jobs and 10 long-term, full-time positions as well as inject millions of dollars in economic benefits to the local area. Upon commercial operation in 2019, renewable energy will be provided to approximately 65,000 homes in the Otter Tail Power Company service territory.

“We are excited to be partnering with Otter Tail Power Company to deliver competitively priced, clean energy to OTPC’s customers through the Merricourt Wind Project,” said Ryan Pfaff, Executive Vice President at EDF Renewable Energy. “The Project will also provide an economic boost to the North Dakota economy, through new construction and operations jobs, expanded tax base, and recurring, long-term income for participating landowners.”

Today wind energy supplies approximately 19 percent of the Otter Tail Power Company’s electricity generation. With this addition, customers will receive nearly 28 percent of their energy from wind. Otter Tail Power Company President Tim Rogelstad said, “Our North Dakota service area has some of the best wind resources in the country to produce low-cost energy. And, because of advances in technology, this wind farm will have a high energy output—even by North Dakota standards.”