The 155-MW Tatanka Ridge Wind Farm in South Dakota now operational –

Avangrid Renewables said on Tuesday that it completed commissioning of the 154.8-MW Tatanka Ridge Wind Farm on January 5, 2021. The facility’s 56 wind turbines are located in Deuel County, S.D., northeast of Brookings. The facility is owned by Tatanka Ridge Wind, LLC, which is jointly owned by Avangrid Renewables (15%) and WEC Energy Group (85%). 

Dairyland Power Cooperative has a power purchase agreement with Tatanka Ridge Wind, LLC for 51.6 MW of renewable energy capacity. The balance of the project’s generation is contracted to WEC Energy Group of Milwaukee, a large commercial customer.

“Dairyland is pleased to work with Avangrid Renewables and WEC Energy Group on an efficient and sustainable facility that supports our transition to a lower carbon future,” said Brent Ridge, Dairyland President and CEO. “Diversification of resources is a key element of Dairyland’s Sustainable Generation Plan, making Tatanka Ridge a valuable addition to our cooperative’s renewable energy portfolio.” 

The companies have collaborated twice before on wind energy facilities, Barton Wind (Kensett, Iowa) and Winnebago Wind (Thompson, Iowa). 

“Avangrid Renewables has been pleased to work with Dairyland Power to make Tatanka Ridge a reality,” said Alejandro de Hoz, President and CEO of Avangrid Renewables. “Partners such as Dairyland have helped to build the wind industry in the Midwest and drive the transition to a clean energy future.”

Tatanka Ridge encompasses approximately 18,000 acres of primarily corn and soybean farms and cattle ranches, leased from over 100 landowners. Between land lease payments and taxes, the wind farm will provide $1.7 million of local economic benefits annually over the life of the project.