NorthWestern Energy to Acquire Wind Power Project in Central Montana

NorthWestern Energy has inked a memorandum of understanding to acquire a 25-MW wind power project located in central Montana. Compass Wind will construct the wind power project.

The wind power project was offered to NorthWestern based on a  2009 community renewable resource commitment. The project complies with the latest Montana legislation that offers reintegration of the utility.

The Spion Kop wind project is designed to be sited into the rate base of the Montana utility with the power and related green power credits utilized to fulfill the standards obligations of future renewable portfolio.

The timeframe of the wind power project expects the implementation of a definitive deal in the first quarter of  2011. As a consequence, an application will be submitted to get pre-approval from the Montana Public Service Commission. The decision on the approval is expected in early 2012. Once the approval is got, construction will be started with a schedule for commercial operation by the end of 2012.