National Grid Renewables has commenced operations at the Wild Springs Solar Project, a monumental achievement in South Dakota's renewable energy landscape. Located in Pennington County and spanning 128MW, Wild Springs stands as the state's largest photovoltaic array to date, strategically positioned within the Southwest Power Pool.
Blake Nixon, President of National Grid Renewables, emphasized the project's significance, stating, “The completion of Wild Springs marks a significant step in our commitment to bringing clean, sustainable energy solutions to the state of South Dakota.”
Wild Springs has secured a 114MW Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Basin Electric Power Cooperative, reinforcing its role in bolstering local energy infrastructure. Chris Baumgartner, Senior Vice President of Member and External Relations at Basin Electric, expressed enthusiasm, noting, “We are excited to add solar to our all-of-the-above generation portfolio which includes dispatchable resources such as coal and natural gas and non-dispatchable resources such as wind and now solar.”
The project is projected to generate approximately US$29.5 million in direct economic impact over its initial 20 years of operation, with an estimated US$12 million in new tax revenue during the same period. In a unique initiative, Wild Springs plans to contribute US$500,000 to the local New Underwood school district over the first two decades, underscoring its commitment to community support and sustainable development.
