(Audubon) Heartland Divide II in Audubon County is picking up steam. The second phase of a wind energy project is inching closer to construction.
“We’ve begun conversations with the County Engineer and are making sure we are moving through all of the appropriate permitting processes and are making sure anything we would develop follows and adheres to all of the safety ordinances within the county. Making sure than any development that does take place respects the roads, respects the property of the city, the county, and any landowner that would be potentially participating.”
Project Manager Bo McGee with Next Era Energy says they are on the verge of completing the initial conceptual layout. McGee provided an update to the Audubon County Board of Supervisors this week. “Walked them through where we expect most of the turbines to be and where the transmission line is and that process. The transmission line will go through the Iowa Utilities Board out of Des Moines. They have jurisdiction over any transmission. Going through both the county and statewide process is where we are and expect the project to be moving forward with a completion date in December of 2021.”
Between phase I and phase II, Heartland Divide has had a presence in Audubon for the past five years. The first phase included over 40 turbines and 100 megawatts. The second phase will be 73 turbines and 200 megawatts. “This project will be roughly twice the size in capacity, but due to increases in technology we won’t need twice as many turbines.”
The turbines are located in the northeast portion of Audubon County with a 39 mile transmission line going through Guthrie County and into Adair County.
