Dive Brief:
- A large wind farm proposed for Chowan and Perquimans counties, N.C., is closing in on a pair of key approvals that could allow it to begin construction in 2018, the Triangle Business Journal reports.
- The Triangle Business Journal reports Chowan County has approved a conditional use permit for the Timbermill Wind, and officials in Perquimans County will begin debating permits this week.
- Proposed by Apex Clean Energy, the Timbermill project would include 105 wind turbines capable of generating 300 MW.
Dive Insight:
Apex still has a long way to go before it can begin construction, but the Triangle Business Journal reports local permits appear to be moving ahead smoothly despite regulatory approval by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers some local opposition.
Avangrid Renewable's Amazon wind project, located in Perquimans and Pasquotank counties, is already under construction and is expected to be generating 208 MW by the end of this year.
Apex says its own project would be located on 15,000 acres of managed timberland and open farmland, and would create about 100 to 150 full-time-equivalent jobs during construction, and 10 permanent jobs to operate the facility. But despite its rural location, the project could be impacted by new siting restrictions for wind farms in the state. Avangrid's project would not be impacted because it is already in development.
Over the summer, the North Carolina Senate approved a bill to add siting restrictions for wind farms, including new noise restrictions, requiring a review by the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as giving some oversight to the Department of Military Affairs. While the bill ultimately failed to pass, Sen. Harry Brown (R) has indicated he will reintroduce the legislation, according to Coastal Review Online.
