Minnesota Power, a utility division of ALLETE, Inc., has announced plans to build a 200-megawatt wind project in North Dakota as part of its EnergyForward strategy to achieve 90% renewable energy by 2035.

The Longspur Wind project, set for construction in 2026 pending regulatory approvals, is expected to be operational by late 2027. The 45-turbine project will be located in Morton and Mercer counties and will use existing infrastructure near the utility's Bison Wind Energy Center to reduce customer costs and streamline development.

Bethany Owen, CEO of ALLETE, said the project is part of a broader $5 billion investment over five years aimed at transforming the regional energy landscape. "Longspur is a key example of the scale required for a reliable and sustainable energy transition," she said, citing the role of new investors CPP Investments and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) in enabling growth.

The wind farm was selected through a competitive bidding process monitored by an independent evaluator and is eligible for full federal production tax credits.

Once operational, Longspur is expected to power 300,000 homes for four hours, generate union jobs during construction, and deliver significant tax revenue to local communities. It will also provide consistent lease payments to participating landowners.

Josh Skelton, COO of Minnesota Power, emphasized the project's alignment with customer affordability and grid resilience. The utility aims to deliver 80% renewable energy by 2030, continuing its leadership in clean energy across the Upper Midwest.