Allete Clean Energy buys Oklahoma wind project

Published on March 16, 2020 by Dave Kovaleski

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Allete Clean Energy acquired the Caddo wind project in Oklahoma from Apex Clean Energy.

The 300-megawatt Caddo facility will double Allete’s capacity to meet the corporate demand for wind energy. As part of the deal, Allete acquired plans to sell energy to three Fortune 500 customers.

“When the Caddo wind project comes online, we expect nearly half of our total wind capacity will be sold into the corporate market with strong, creditworthy off-takers and under long-term contracts,” Allete Clean Energy President Allan S. Rudeck Jr. said. “Our total wind capacity also will have nearly tripled in four years. We’re honored to help corporate customers reduce their carbon footprint and reach their clean energy goals. We’re also proud to be working with Apex Clean Energy again, and we will work together to finalize development with local residents, landowners, and policymakers, and build assets that position Allete Clean Energy for long-term growth.”

The Caddo wind farm will be operational by the end of 2021.

“Apex and ALLETE have fostered a strong partnership, and we are thrilled to once again work together, in tandem with leaders in corporate procurement, to bring a project to life that will expand the clean energy market,” Mark Goodwin, president and CEO of Apex Clean Energy, said. “Caddo Wind embodies the traits of an ideal wind project—including an exceptional wind resource and access to transmission—at a time when the market for renewable energy is surging to new heights.”

Caddo, which has 60-110 turbines, will produce enough energy to power roughly 110,000 homes. It will increase Allete’s installed wind capacity to more than 1,300 megawatts.

“This acquisition of the Caddo project highlights Allete’s strategy of growing through sustainability in action and focusing closely on our customers,” Allete President and CEO Bethany Owen. “The project is another example of Allete Clean Energy’s commitment to providing clean energy solutions for customers while driving growth and shareholder value for Allete.”

Allete Clean Energy, a subsidiary of Allete, Inc, owns, operates, and is constructing and commissioning approximately 1,340 megawatts of wind energy generation across seven states.