BOTETOURT CO., Va. – Construction is under way on Rocky Forge, which Apex Clean Energy describes as Virginia’s first large land-based wind project. Apex says the project will include 13 turbines, each rated at more than 6 megawatts, for a total nameplate capacity of about 78 megawatts, and that annual production should be roughly equal to electricity used by about 20,000 average Virginia homes.
Apex said the project connects to the regional grid using an existing transmission line between Low Moor and Lexington and that all project output has been purchased by Google through a virtual power purchase agreement. Apex provided a visual simulation and maps on the Rocky Forge website and said the project will pay up to $25 million in taxes to Botetourt County over its lifetime, fund road repairs and upgrades during construction, partner with local contractors and create up to seven full-time operations jobs. The company said turbine deliveries are expected between March and June, with commercial operation targeted by year-end.
One couple who owns property overlooking North Mountain and the Blue Ridge Mountains say their view from their back porch is everything to them…