Apex Clean Energy Adds 625 MW as Four Wind and Storage Projects Now Online

A Virginia-based renewable energy group has expanded its operating and construction portfolio to more than 3 GW of generation capacity. Charlottesville-headquartered Apex Clean Energy on July 29 announced that four utility-scale wind and storage projects, with more than 625 MW of capacity in total, have entered commercial operation in Illinois, Maine, and Texas.

Apex on Tuesday said the facilities all came online in the first half of this year. The company said the projects have a combined local economic impact of nearly $150 million, and represent significant investments in conservation efforts for the regions surrounding the installations through the Apex Conservation Grant Program. The company said the facilities highlight clean power’s role in supporting local economic and ecological resilience.

“From Maine to Texas, these sites reflect the strength of the Apex team and our ability to execute at scale—delivering the infrastructure our country needs at the moment it’s needed most,” said Ken Young, CEO of Apex Clean Energy. “As we continue to expand our operating portfolio, we’re focused not only on supplying the grid with reliable, low-cost energy, but on maximizing the long-term value our projects create for the communities where we work.”

The projects include Prosperity Wind (300 MW) in Piatt County, Illinois. It is Apex’s fifth wind farm in that state. The installation is expected to generate about $93 million in tax revenue for the surrounding area, including $58 million for neighboring school districts. The facility is also providing $200,000 to support rewilding and restoration initiatives in Rockford and along the Illinois River.

In Washington County, Maine, Downeast Wind (126 MW) marks Apex’s first operational facility in the ISO New England market. In addition to creating close to $20 million in new revenue for the county and nearby town of Columbia, the project has already driven $156 million of direct, indirect, and induced economic activity statewide and has committed $126,000 to rebuild habitat for the federally endangered Atlantic salmon.

Great Kiskadee Storage (100 MW/200 MWh) in Hidalgo County, Texas, is the first operational asset of SA Grid Solutions, a joint venture among Apex, SK Gas, and SK Eternix. The facility will enhance the reliability of the Texas grid and is expected to generate more than $23 million in tax revenue over its lifetime, in addition to contributing $100,000 to conserve 200 acres of wetland habitat.

Angelo Storage (100 MW/200 MWh), sited in Tom Green County, Texas, is Apex’s third storage facility to reach operations and its latest wholly owned grid asset. The project supports ERCOT’s resilience by absorbing excess renewable generation and responding rapidly to demand and is projected to create more than $13.6 million in local tax revenue over its lifetime.

—Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.