South Dakota regulators have approved a $621 million wind energy project in Deuel County, granting a permit for the 68-turbine development planned by Invenergy.

The project, named Deuel Harvest Wind Energy South, will cover 46 square miles of privately owned land near Brandt, about six miles south of the existing Deuel Harvest Wind Farm, which Invenergy completed in 2021. Once built, the project will bring the county’s total number of wind turbines to 233.

With a generation capacity of 260 megawatts, the project will contribute to South Dakota’s existing 3,462-megawatt wind energy capacity, ranking the state 13th in the nation for wind power.

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has imposed over 50 conditions on the project, covering agricultural cooperation, noise levels, wildlife protection, and construction time limits. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also conducting an aeronautical hazard study that may influence final turbine locations.

According to Invenergy’s application, the project will generate $78 million in payments to landowners and $38 million in local tax revenue over the next 30 years. It is expected to create 243 construction jobs and eight long-term positions.

The new wind farm will neighbor Tatanka Ridge, another large-scale wind project in the area, further solidifying Deuel County as a hub for renewable energy development.