South Dakota regulators approve permit for wind farm in Grant and Codington counties.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – South Dakota regulators have approved a permit for construction of a wind farm in the northeastern part of the state.

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission approved a permit with conditions Tuesday to build the Crowned Ridge Wind Farm.

The proposed wind farm will cover more than 53,000 acres in Grant and Codington counties. The project will be capable of producing as much as 300 megawatts of energy from up to 130 wind turbines.

Northern States Power Co., doing business as Xcel Energy, will purchase energy produced by the wind farm.

Among the conditions the PUC placed on the permit are addressing sound levels and shadow flicker experienced by nearby residents, detecting ice on turbine blades, and monitoring grouse mating areas within the wind farm area once construction is complete.

Crowned Ridge Wind estimates the wind farm will cost $400 million. Construction is expected to be completed by 2020.

AP-WF-07-10-19