South Dakota Wind Facts Current Wind Generation Jobs & Economic Benefits • Current Wind Generation: 783 megawatts An investment in wind power is an investment in jobs, including jobs in operations and maintenance, construction, manufacturing, and many other support sectors. In addition, wind power projects produce lease payments for landowners and increase the tax base of communities. • Percentage of South Dakota’s electricity provided by wind in 2013: 26.0 percent. • State Rank: South Dakota ranks 2nd for the percentage of electricity provided by wind. • Equivalent number of homes South Dakota wind farms now power: over 245,000 average American homes. • Total direct and indirect jobs supported in 2013: 501-1000. Wind Generation Potential • State Rank: South Dakota ranks 21 for number of wind-related jobs. • According to data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, South Dakota’s onshore wind potential at 80 meters hub height is 882,412 MW. • Capital investment: approximately $1.6 billion in South Dakota • State Rank: South Dakota has the 5th best wind resource in the U.S. • This means that wind power is capable of meeting more than 300 times the state’s current electricity needs. Wind-Related Manufacturing The wind industry has over 550 manufacturing facilities producing products for the wind industry that range from blade, tower and turbine nacelle assembly facilities to raw component suppliers including fiberglass and steel. • Number of manufacturing facilities in South Dakota: 4 facilities • Annual land lease payments: over $2,300,000 to South Dakota landowners Environmental Benefits of Wind Power Generating wind power creates no emissions and uses virtually no water. • The water consumption savings from wind projects in South Dakota total more than 585 million gallons of water a year. • The wind power installed in South Dakota will avoid 623,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year, the equivalent of taking 110,000 cars off the road. Source: AWEA SD Fact Sheets 2014 from awea.org 605-366-2373 | www.dpcwind.com