NextEra Energy Resources is unveiling plans for the largest wind farm to be built in Kansas and hopes to win approval in several months.
The company has plans for the 600-megawatt High Banks Wind Energy Center to be located in Washington and Republic counties. Plans for the wind farm will be presented to county commissioners in a few months and the company expects approval by the end of 2021.
The farm site is east of the northern Kansas town of Bellvue and east of highway US 81.
The project will feature 201 GE wind turbines capable of generating the nearly 600 megawatts of renewable energy. With approval, the wind farm could become operational by the end of 2023.
High Banks Wind will create local employment opportunities, including up to 350 construction and what the company described as 13-15 good-paying, full-time jobs to maintain and operate.
The project provides approximately $115 million* in payments to Washington and Republic County landowners – stable, reliable income families can depend on, regardless of weather.
The project provides approximately $100 million* in additional revenue for Washington and Republic Counties, money the company says will enhance local roads, schools and services.
NextEra has 8 wind farms operational in Kansas and since 2001 has invested $1.8 billion in the renewable energy projects in the state.