Goose Creek Wind project : Apex Clean Energy, Cargill sign offtake deal

Apex Clean Energy has signed an offtake agreement with Cargill to provide the latter with 50MW of power from the 300MW Goose Creek Wind project in Piatt County, Illinois.

Goose Creek Wind is expected to help Cargill’s key activities in the region such as the nearby manufacturing center as well as an innovation lab. The wind project in Piatt County will aid in helping Cargill achieve its target of the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in their operations to 10 percent by the year 2025.

Alongside generating sustainable energy that will be used by Cargill, Rivian, and another corporate client, the Goose Creek Wind project will bring tangible environmental and economic advantages in Illinois, said Apex Clean Energy.

Apex Clean Energy, Cargill sign offtake deal for Goose Creek Wind project in Piatt County, Illinois. Photo courtesy of Asher Heimermann/Wikimedia Commons.

Mark Senn — Cargill global energy leader said: “At Cargill, our ambition is to build the most sustainable food supply chains in the world.

“This transaction represents our second-largest wind energy agreement to date and is proof we are working every day to implement new sustainable practices and reduce our impact on the planet.”

The Goose Creek Wind facility is expected to inject around $209 million into the local economy as well as create over 400 jobs during construction and will contribute $300,000 to local conservation efforts.

The wind farm in Piatt County is expected to start commercial operation in 2024.

Mark Goodwin — Apex Clean Energy president and CEO said: “Beyond the traditional benefits of renewable projects—local tax revenue, job creation, lease payments, and more—Goose Creek Wind will have an oversize positive impact on its host community. With this agreement, the project will generate clean energy that powers industry within twenty miles of the facility.

“This transaction represents Cargill’s commitment to supporting its communities—one of many shared principles evidenced in this new partnership.”

To span around 20,000 acres of open farmland, the Goose Creek Wind project will comprise 50 wind turbines to meet the power requirements of 99,000 homes each year.