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Freeborn Wind Farm

Project Docket

Docket No 17-410
Project name Freeborn Wind Farm
Applicant Invenergy, LLC
Description Freeborn Wind Energy, LLC, an affiliate of Invenergy, LLC, has proposed to construct and operate the 200 MW Freeborn Wind Farm in Freeborn County, Minnesota and Worth County, Iowa
Location Freeborn County -- Hayward Township, Freeborn County -- London Township, Freeborn County -- Shell Rock Township, Minnesota
Contact Richard Davis
richard.davis@state.mn.us
Status
  • 2017-08-31: Application accepted
  • 2017-09-20: Public meeting
  • 2018-01-30: Draft permit issued
  • 2018-02-20: Public hearing
  • 2018-05-14: ALJ report issued
  • 2018-12-19: Permit issued
  • Upcoming: Project built
  • Upcoming: Docket closed
eDockets 17-410

Project Summary

The Freeborn Wind Farm is proposed to generate up to 200 megawatts (MW) total, with 84 MW being generated in Minnesota and the remaining 116 MW being generated in Iowa. The Minnesota portion of the proposed project will consist of up to 42 - 2.0 MW wind turbines, Vestas brand models V116 and V110 are currently being considered for use. Associated project facilities will include gravel access roads, buried electrical collector lines, operation and maintenance facility, a project substation, and a permanent meteorological tower.  

A  transmission line will be constructed to connect the project substation to the electrical transmission grid; this transmission line will be reviewed and a decision will be issued under a seperate route permit process (TL-17-322).

The Commission issued a site permit for the Freeborn Wind Farm on December 19, 2018.  The Commission authorized transfer of the site permit to Northern States Power Company (Xcel Energy) on October 22, 2019. The wind farm is anticipated to be operational in December 2020. 

Key Project Documents

Date Title Description
03/31/2020 Commission Order Amending Site Permit The Commission's order amending the site permit to allow for a different combination of Vestas wind turbines and a modified turbine layout.
10/22/2019 Commission Order Transferring Site Permit The Commission's order transferring the site permit from Freeborn Wind Energy, LLC to Northern States Power Company (Xcel Energy).
05/10/2019 Commission Order Amending Site Permit The Commission's order amending the site permit for the Freeborn Wind Farm. The amendments clarify several sections of the site permit.
12/19/2018 Commission Order Issuing a Site Permit The Commission's order issuing a site permit for the Freeborn Wind Farm.
07/12/2017 Freeborn Wind Farm Site Permit Application Large Wind Energy Conversion System (LWECS) Site Permit Application filed by Freeborn Wind Energy, LLC for the proposed Freeborn Wind Farm

Project Documents