Enel Green Power starts construction on 200MW wind project in DeWitt County

 

[May 07, 2021] 

Construction has begun on the 200 MW Alta Farms wind project in DeWitt County, Ill.

With operations expected in the second half of 2022, the $345 million wind project will be Enel Green Power’s third in Illinois and generate $94 million in combined local tax revenue and landowner income

Clinton, May 5, 2021 – Enel Green Power North America has started construction of the 200 MW Alta Farms wind project in DeWitt County, Ill. Representing a $345 million investment, Alta Farms is the company’s third wind farm in Illinois including the HillTopper and Whitney Hill wind farms in Logan County. The project is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2022.

“Alta Farms is great news for Illinois, generating new economic growth and clean energy jobs for a long-term, sustainable impact,” said Brayten McGee, project execution manager at Enel Green Power. “We look forward to deepening our relationships with landowners and community partners in DeWitt County and throughout central Illinois for the long term.”

Alta Farms’ 50 turbines are expected to generate over 760 GWh each year, equivalent to the electricity needs of over 57,000 US households and the avoidance of 470,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. The project will be responsible for around 275 construction jobs and 10-12 permanent positions. Over its lifetime, Alta Farms is expected to generate over $44 million in local property tax revenue and $50 million in payments to landowners.

Enel Green Power seeks to create shared value with partner communities and is identifying opportunities to support the long-term sustainability of DeWitt County. In 2020, the company supported the response to COVID-19 in central Illinois through commitments of $10,000 to The Vault in Clinton for local educational programs, $5,000 to the Logan County Food Pantry and $50,000 to first responders in Latham and Mt. Pulaski.

The Enel Group is closely following the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and is responding, as a main priority, to protect the health of its workers, employees and the community where it operates. In North America, the company has enacted strict travel guidelines, stepped up office and project site sanitation and implemented ways for colleagues to conduct their work remotely and follow safe working practices if and when on-site. At the Alta Farms construction site, crews are implementing safe working practices and operations have been structured to maintain social distancing as well as other best practices.

Enel Green Power North America is a leading developer, long-term owner and operator of renewable energy plants in North America, with a presence in 15 US states and one Canadian province. The company operates 60 plants with a managed capacity of over 6.7 GW powered by renewable wind, geothermal and solar energy.

[Nancy Schoenheide
KAOH MEDIA]