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Invenergy updates Seward County on Thresher Wind Project contribution agreement
Summary
An Invenergy representative told the Seward County Board of Commissioners the Thresher Wind Project’s contribution agreement would provide annual payments tied to megawatt capacity, with payments to the county and to landowners; the company said the project is anticipated to be complete in 2029.
Kate, an Invenergy representative, updated the Seward County Board of Commissioners on April 7 about a contribution agreement tied to the Thresher Wind Project, saying the company expects the project to be completed in 2029 and that the state of Kansas provides a renewable-energy tax exemption for the first 10 years.
The representative said the agreement outlines annual payments based on a per-megawatt rate starting at $6,100 per megawatt and escalating at 3% annually. An unidentified Invenergy representative told the commission the company expects “about $40,000,000 to the county during its life.” The representative also said roughly $30,000,000 would go directly to landowners over the project life, separate from the county payments.
The company said the project would encompass about 12,000 acres and involve roughly 40 landowners; landowners would receive annual payments based on facilities on their property. The company said that, because of the state tax exemption, the contribution agreement addresses annual payments for the first 10 years immediately following construction.
No formal action by the commission on the contribution agreement was recorded in the April 7 meeting minutes. Commissioners were told county staff and outside counsel were reviewing the agreement; the administrator said a work session with legal counsel is being scheduled to review the wind-farm history and the agreement in more detail.
Speakers at the April 7 meeting noted the broad financial figures and timelines but did not provide a signed agreement or final county decision during the session.
The county’s administrator said the commission will receive additional history and context on the project during a future work session so members can consider next steps.
