Project at a Glance
Location: Velva, North Dakota
Collaborators: Xcel Energy
Construction completed: 2005
Wind power: 12 MW capacity, using 18 Vestas 660 kW
Projected CO2 emissions avoided: Approximately 24,800 tons annually
Local tidbit: An enterprising group, the city’s new Star City Golf Course was built by volunteers, which cut the original estimated cost of nearly $1M down to less than $400,000.
North Dakota is the number one state in the U.S. for wind-energy potential. Velva Wind Farm was one of the first ACCIONA projects to seize that opportunity and bring clean energy to the grid. Velva might be ACCIONA’s smallest North American wind farm, but it’s proof that good things come in small packages.
The Velva Wind Farm produces enough electricity for approximately 6,000 homes. Project partner Xcel Energy signed a 20-year power purchase agreement to buy the power generated.
The Velva Wind Farm brought 50 jobs to the Velva community during construction, as well as maintenance jobs for ongoing operation. Further stimulating the local economy, ACCIONA used local services and materials during construction. In addition, the project continues to contribute to the local tax base through assessed property taxes.
How this project is sustainable
Harnessing a plentiful domestic energy resource like wind to generate electricity provides North America with sustainable and clean-energy choices beyond conventional power plants, which are facing depleting resources, increased carbon emissions and price volatility.