Invenergy provides update on development of wind project

 

[March 24, 2022] 

At the Logan County Board meeting Tuesday, March 15, Greg Vander Kamp of Invenergy gave an update on the Top Hat Wind Farm project the company is developing.

Invenergy is an Illinois based company headquartered in Chicago. They have 12 operating wind projects in Illinois including nearby McLean County.

Since 2016, Invenergy has been in Logan County developing the project. Greg Vander Kamp has worked on the project for four years. To show the plans, Vander Kamp gave handouts to the board members.

The company has negotiated with over 150 landowners. They have also leased 35,000 acres in eastern Logan County. Vander Kamp said they are approaching the last steps in project development.

Surveyors from Sam’s Survey and Mapping Incorporated have been gathering data. These surveyors are marking section corners, road intersections and individual parcels. Invenergy is getting close to finalizing locations for project turbines.

The Top Hap Wind Project Invenergy is developing will generate 200 megawatts. Vander Kamp said they are considering approximately 60 General Electric turbines, which are manufactured in the United States.

Next, Vander Kamp listed some benefits the project would bring to the county. The project would invest $325 directly into the county with 19 taxing jurisdictions benefiting. Vander Kamp said that includes three school districts, two townships, the county, library districts, fire and police districts and road districts.

In year one, Vander Kamp said the project would bring $2.8 M in property taxes to the taxing jurisdictions.

In terms of land payments, over $2.1 M would go to landowners themselves. Vander Kamp said the way he likes to look at it, those dollars are being expended to the landowners, who in turn spend dollars locally. He said that could provide an economic boom to the whole area.

The project would generate 200-300 construction jobs. Once the project is up and running, Vander Kamp said there would be approximately 10 permanent jobs.

In permit fees for the turbines, Vander Kamp said the county would receive $736,000 from Invenergy.

As Invenergy continues to develop the project, Vander Kamp said they will be meeting soon with fire departments in the area. The company wants to make sure they are in good communication with these departments. They want to set up those relationships early on so they can coordinate during construction.

The company will also be meeting with the school districts to discuss the project.
 

Right now, the company is doing wildlife studies looking for different bird species that may frequent the area. Vander Kamp said they are also conducting soil testing at some of the proposed locations.

Invenergy is coordinating with the county on road use agreements. Vander Kamp said they will focus on these agreements for the next two months and they should be complete by May 17.

By June 15, Vander Kamp said they plan to file a Conditional Use permit application for the project.

A public hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals is proposed for August 4. If that process goes smoothly, Invenergy plans to come to the county board for approval later that month.

If approved, Vander Kamp said construction would start by late 2023. The Top Hat Wind Farm Project may be operational by the end of 2024.

Because there have been so many supply chain concerns, board member Keenan Leesman asked about how that might affect the project.

Different industries have been affected differently by the supply chain issue. For example, Vander Kamp said the solar industry has experience delays in machinery, equipment and modules.

The wind industry is a bit more vetted. Because many turbines are made domestically, Vander Kamp said there is a better and more robust supply chain. Therefore, company does not believe there will be an affect on construction.

[Angela Reiners]