Big Bend Wind Project

Big Bend Wind, LLC, a subsidiary of Apex Clean Energy, Inc., is proposing the Big Bend Wind Project located within portions of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota. The Big Bend Wind Project is proposing to constructed and operate 47 Nordex N-163 (5.7 MW), 48 Vestas V162 (5.6 MW), or 49 GE-158 (5.5 MW) turbines, which will have a total generation capability of up to 308 megawatts (MWs).  

The Big Bend Wind Project is being proposed as a potential hybrid wind energy and solar energy generation project, and could be constructed and operated in coordination with the Red Rock Solar Project.  Red Rock Solar, LLC, a subsidiary of Apex Clean Energy, Inc., is pursuing a separate site permit for the Red Rock Solar Project, under Docket #GS-19-620.  The Red Rock Solar Project is proposed to generate up to 60 MWs, and if approved, constructed and operated the total solar energy generation would reduce the total wind energy generation at the Big Bend Wind Project, so the total energy generation at the two facilities would not exceed 314 MWs.

The Big Bend Wind Project will require an approximately 18 mile long, 161 kilovolt (kV) transmission line to be constructed and operate to transmit generated wind energy to the electrical grid interconnection.  The proposed 161 kV transmission line could also provide solar energy transmission for the proposed Red Rock Solar Project.  Big Bend Wind, LLC has submitted an application for a route permit for the proposed transmission line under Docket #TL-19-621.