FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 13, 2026                
MEDIA CONTACT: Leah Mohr, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, (605) 773-3201 or (605) 280-4327

South Dakota PUC gives go ahead to Philip Wind Project

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission accepted a joint settlement stipulation, submitted by the PUC staff and Philip Wind Partners, LLC, and granted a permit to construct the Philip Wind Project at the PUC’s regular meeting Feb. 12, 2026, in Pierre. The proposed project, spanning 68,300 acres in Haakon County, will be capable of generating 333 megawatts of energy and will cost approximately $750 million to construct. The project plans to include up to 87 turbines and an approximate 5.5-mile long 230-kV generator transmission tie line.

“The applicant has proven they are entitled to this permit under thecriteria established in state law,” stated Commission Chairman Chris Nelson. “When constructed, this wind facility will be the largest in the state reinforcing our state’s electricity generation capacity,” he continued.

PUC staff and Philip Wind resolved all issues through settlement negotiations and submitted a settlement agreement including 55 conditions for the commission to consider at the end of January. Those conditions address a wide array of issues and set out requirements that must be adhered to during construction, operation and maintenance of the facility. During their discussion, commissioners asked for additional details on easement agreements, aircraft detection lighting systems, transmission line route changes and follow up from comments and concerns that were raised at the commission’s October 2025 public input meeting in Philip.

“This docket is a perfect illustration of why public input meetings are so important to the work we do with siting dockets. Commissioners go back to their notes, as do PUC staff. That meeting gave us an opportunity to get additional information, make changes, and develop conditions that have made this project better,” explained PUC Vice Chairperson Kristie Fiegen.

Philip Wind Partners, LLC filed their application with the PUC on Aug. 15, 2025, starting the clock on a statutory nine-month review period. In addition to the turbines, the project plans include a 34.5-kilovolt electrical collection and supervisory control and data acquisition systems, a 230-kV collector substation, an operations and maintenance facility, up to three aircraft detection lighting system towers, access roads, and up to three meteorological towers.

“I especially appreciate our staff and their incredible work. They are the Adam Vinatieri Hall of Famers of the PUC,” remarked Commissioner Gary Hanson.

Pending completion of all pre-construction activities, Philip Wind Partners plans to begin construction in June 2026. The wind project will be supported by a less than one mile extension of an existing 230-kV line owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative that also received approval at the meeting. In addition, the Western Area Power Administration will construct the 230-kV Philip North Switchyard and two tie-ins to interconnect the project into WAPA’s existing Oahe to New Underwood 230-kV transmission line.

The Philip Wind Project docket can be viewed on the PUC's website at puc.sd.gov, Commission Actions, Electric Dockets, 2025 Electric Dockets, EL25-029 - In the Matter of The Application by Philip Wind Partners, LLC, for Energy Facility Permits of a Wind Energy Facility and a 230 KV Transmission Facility In Haakon County, South Dakota for The Philip Wind Project.

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