BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota’s leading wind power developer intends to spend $300 million this year installing another 170 megawatts of generating capacity near two existing wind projects, the company’s chief executive says.

“This is one of the best places to go,” said Mitch Davidson, chief executive officer of NextEra Energy Resources of Juno Beach, Fla., which recently changed its name from FPL Energy.

Davidson spoke Thursday at a state Capitol ceremony at which Gov. John Hoeven signed three measures that extend and improve sales, property and income tax breaks for wind power developers.

This year, NextEra intends to add 49.5 megawatts to the company’s existing Wilton wind farm in northern Burleigh County, north of Bismarck, and 120 megawatts to its Ashtabula project north of Valley City in eastern North Dakota. The turbines will be in Griggs and Steele counties, Davidson said.

North Dakota has about 714 megawatts of operating wind power capacity. NextEra developed more than 600 megawatts and owns about 516 megawatts. The company’s projects are in eastern, southeastern and south-central North Dakota.

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