National Grid Renewables has commenced operations at its Wild Springs Solar Project, a 128MW facility located in Pennington County, South Dakota.

Solar Project to Deliver $29.5M Economic Impact Over 20 Years

Wild Springs in the last summer, marked its groundbreaking with a "Solar Does Good" community event, showcasing the numerous benefits for local and state communities. The project is expected to deliver about $29.5 million (EUR 27.6 million) in direct economic impact during its first 20 years of operation, including $12 million in new tax revenue over the same period.

Furthermore, in a distinctive initiative by National Grid Renewables, Wild Springs plans to donate $500,000 to the local New Underwood school district over the first 20 years of operations.

"We're thrilled to welcome Wild Springs to the New Underwood Community. National Grid Renewables has been a fantastic neighbor since the inception of the Wild Springs Solar Project. The anticipated tax revenue, along with their generous charitable contribution to the school district, is a much-appreciated bonus.” Mayor of New Underwood, Jack Trullinger said.

Solar Project to Power 37,000 Homes Annually

The project will generate enough clean energy to power approximately 37,000 homes each year, or 740,000 homes over its first 20 years of operation.

In addition to the economic benefits of the solar project, Wild Springs is expected to also mitigate approximately 190,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This reduction is equivalent to taking about 42,000 cars off the road for a year.

"We are enthusiastic about the positive impact this project will have on both local and state residents through increased tax revenue, charitable contributions, and, most importantly, the provision of clean energy.” said Blake Nixon, President of National Grid Renewables

National Grid Secures 114 MW PPA for Wild Springs

National Grid Renewables secured a 114 MW power purchase agreement (PPA) with Basin Electric Power Cooperative for Wild Springs.

"Basin Electric has been considering solar generation for many years, and we are excited to incorporate solar into our all-encompassing generation portfolio. This portfolio includes dispatchable resources like coal and natural gas, as well as non-dispatchable resources like wind and now solar. This diversity enables these resources to work together, providing maximum reliability at the lowest possible cost for our members.” said Chris Baumgartner, Basin Electric senior VP of member and external relations.

National Grid Renewables' Clean Energy Commitment

National Grid Renewables develops, owns, and operates extensive renewable energy assets throughout the United States, specializing in solar, wind, and energy storage solutions. Founded by farmers and dedicated to community impact, National Grid Renewables revitalizes local economies and promotes a sustainable, clean energy future. The company aligns with National Grid's commitment to fostering a clean, equitable, and affordable energy landscape for everyone.

Blake Nixon, President of National Grid Renewables, remarked, "The completion of Wild Springs marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering clean, sustainable energy solutions for South Dakota.”