Scout Clean Energy, a US-based renewable energy developer and portfolio company of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, has secured approval for the 130MW Bitter Ridge Wind Farm in Jay County, Indiana.
Image: Scout Clean Energy secures approval for 130MW wind farm in Indiana. Photo: Courtesy of Anna Jiménez Calaf / Unsplash.
Recently, Jay County Council granted 10-year tax abatement for the $150m Bitter Ridge Wind Farm. Under the project, 59 wind turbines will be installed across 12,000 acres in Jay County, said Scout Clean Energy.
The company expects to complete the final design, procurement and construction shortly and begin operations in early 2020.
In June, Scout received unanimous approval for the development plan for the power plant. It recently concluded agreements with the Jay County Commissioners on road and drainage use, decommissioning and economic development.
Scout Clean Energy CEO and founder Michael Rucker said: “We are very pleased to have received the final approval necessary for the Bitter Ridge Wind Farm to move forward.
“This is Scout’s first wind power project in Indiana and this milestone follows closely on the heels of our successful completion in September of the 200MW Persimmon Creek wind farm in Oklahoma.
“The approval of the tax abatement means Scout now has all necessary local permits to take power to market and begin planning for construction in 2019.”
According to Rucker, Bitter Ridge’s strategic location in the PJM power market makes the project attractive for potential customers looking to expand their renewable power procurement at a competitive price.
He said that a team from Scout Clean Energy has already received indicative interest in the project and it is working to complete sales contracts over the coming months.
Quinbrook senior managing director Jeff Hunter said: “We are delighted with the progress that Scout is making. We believe Bitter Ridge is an outstanding wind project located in an attractive power market that stands to benefit from the emergence of new, high quality wind projects.
“Today’s announcement marks another important milestone for Scout and we look forward to accelerating the remaining projects in its diverse wind power portfolio.”
Scout affiliate Harvest Energy Services will manage the Bitter Ridge construction.
Quinbrook and Scout have together expanded the wind project portfolio to more than 2.3GW of potential capacity, spanning 13 projects in 10 states.