St. Paul, Minnesota — The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a 109-megawatt Walleye Wind project proposed by NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. The wind facility located in Rock County will include up to 40 turbines that will provide electricity to Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) through a 30-year power purchase agreement and will assist MMPA in exceeding its Minnesota Renewable Energy Standard requirements. 

“This wind farm will continue to grow our carbon free energy resources that Minnesotans are asking for. It will create local jobs and local tax revenue that will go to the Rock County community for years to come. This is a win-win-win for the state,” said Commissioner Joseph Sullivan. 

The Walleye Wind project is expected to bring up to 185 jobs during construction and up to four full-time positions after construction is complete, many sourced from local labor. The project is estimated to result in between $400,000 to $600,000 in annual tax revenues for Rock County, once fully operational. Additionally, the Commission approved requirements to minimize project impacts to the human and natural environment. These include a shadow flicker management plan, an avian and bat protection plan, a native prairie protection plan, and a decommissioning plan which ensure sites are restored at the end of the facility’s useful life. 

“With each of these wind projects that are built, whether it’s through additional short and long-term jobs, additional local tax revenues or lease payments to our farmers, we see our greater Minnesota communities’ continue to benefit,” said Commissioner John Tuma. “These projects have helped these local communities weather the often volatile agricultural economy.” 

About 

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regulates three cornerstone service industries in Minnesota's economy: electricity, natural gas, and telephone service. The Commission’s mission is to create and maintain a regulatory environment that ensures safe, adequate, and efficient utility services at fair, reasonable rates consistent with State telecommunications and energy policies. It does so by providing independent, consistent, professional, and comprehensive oversight and regulation of utility service providers. Learn more at mn.gov/puc Please contact Tricia DeBleeckere, 651-201-2254 or tricia.debleeckere@state.mn.us if you have any questions.