Akuo reaches fin close on 93-MW wind project in Illinois

French renewable power producer Akuo Energy will start building a 93.1-MW wind farm in Illinois this month after securing all needed funds for the project.

The company said the financial close on the project was achieved through an investment from alternative real assets manager Harrison Street and construction financing from Morgan Stanley. GE Energy Financial Services (GE EFS) provided tax equity financing, Akuo said on Tuesday.

The Bennington wind farm will be located 100 miles (160 km) southwest of Chicago in Illinois’ Marshall County, within the regional transmission operator territory of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). Its 33 turbines by GE Renewable Energy, each with a capacity of 2.82 MW, are planned to go live in the last quarter of 2021.

Once up and running, the power plant will be capable of producing enough electricity for around 33,200 homes, mitigating over 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually. Morgan Stanley will buy the entire output and renewable energy credits under a long-term off-take deal.

Akuo has been developing the Bennington project since 2016. Once completed, it will lift Akuo’s renewable assets under management in the US to 609 MW.

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