enXco Receives Approval to Commence Merricourt Wind Project

The Merricourt Wind Project of enXco has obtained the needed Certificate of Site Compatibility from the North Dakota Public Service Commission.

This final approval will enable the company to commence construction of the project after the utility company settles the pending litigations. The project has received the approval of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in May 2009 and again in August 2009.

The 150 MW Merricourt wind project located in southeastern North Dakota began its developments in November 2008 by enXco, an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company, and Xcel energy suffered delays due to administrative and weather conditions and further by a suit filed by Xcel to abolish the contract. enXco while having filed a counter to continue the contract also commenced the talks of settlement to complete the project.

The Merricourt wind project will have 100 wind turbines placed over 18 mi² of area located southeast of Kulm on the western boundary of Dickey County and Eastern border of McIntosh County. The power generated from the facility will supply electricity to around 43,500 homes and will bring millions of dollars worth economic benefits to the region. It will also provide 150 temporary short-term job positions during the construction phase and 10 permanent long-term job positions afterwards.