NYS Public Service Commission approves Ball Wind project

The New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC) gave last week the go-ahead to develop the Ball Wind electric generating facility in Chautauqua County.

This wind farm will generate approximately 100 megawatts (MW) of electric generating capacity using wind turbines located in the Towns of Villenova and Hanover in Chautauqua County. It will generate enough electricity to power more than 28,000 homes.

“New York State has ambitious clean energy goals that require the smart, aggressive development of renewable energy. Appropriately sited wind farms are a necessary component of our clean energy future,” NYSPSC Chair John Rhodes said. “As we look to celebrate Earth Day on Monday, today’s action demonstrates that New York can build clean energy projects and deliver clean energy economy jobs in a responsible and balanced manner.”

The facility will include 29 turbines — 23 in Villenova and six in Hanover. It will also include an approximate 25.6-mile, 34.5-kilovolt (kV), mostly underground electrical collection system along with a new substation to interconnect with the National Grid 230 kV system in the Town of Hanover.

The project will create up to 90 construction jobs, five to seven permanent jobs, and will represent a large portion of the local tax base. It will also improve fuel diversity, grid reliability, and modernize the grid infrastructure.