Minnesota utility to own part of eastern ND wind project
by The Associated Press
 
BISMARCK, N.D. -- Otter Tail Power Co. wants to own part of North Dakota's largest wind farm in eastern North Dakota.

FPL Energy is developing the 200-megawatt project in Barnes County, east of Lake Ashtabula. Otter Tail Power said in a statement it will own 48 megawatts of the project's output.

Otter Tail President Chuck MacFarlane says the Fergus Falls, utility plans to invest $121 million in the Ashtabula Wind Center. The sum includes the cost of wind turbines, construction and electric transmission lines.

North Dakota's Public Service Commission is holding a siting hearing for the wind farm and power lines in Valley City on Friday. The wind farm's developers want to finish construction by year's end.