REPUBLIC WIND PROJECT PROFILE

Apex Clean Energy is developing Republic Wind, a wind energy project located in Seneca and Sandusky Counties. A project like Republic will bring economic growth to the local community and help preserve the area’s agricultural heritage.

Plans show that Republic Wind may include up to 50 wind turbines placed on land leased from participating landowners. The 200 MW of electricity that the project could produce is enough safe, healthy, homegrown energy to power up to 62,400 U.S. homes. 

PROJECT SUMMARY

• Planned to be located on approximately 15,000 acres of open farmland in rural Seneca and Sandusky Counties
• Capable of producing up to 200 MW of clean, homegrown energy, enough to power over 62,400 homes each year
• Expected to consist of maximum 50 wind turbines, spaced approximately 1/4 to 1/2 mile apart on active farmland
• Each wind turbine, including the access road, typically requires less than half an acre of land
• Existing high-voltage power lines and highways would limit the need for new infrastructure
• Farmers would continue farming their land with very limited disturbance
• Will represent a significant investment in local economy with revenues for farmers, local government, and schools
• Will create about 150 full-time-equivalent jobs during construction
• Will create up to 10 permanent jobs at a local operations and maintenance facility

WHY SENECA AND SANDUSKY COUNTIES?

If built, Republic will have a capacity of up to 200 MW, producing enough energy to power more than 62,400 homes every year. Representing a private investment well in excess of $400 million, Republic will benefit the economies of Seneca and Sandusky Counties in the near term with construction jobs and local purchasing of materials and services. In the long term, the project promises to bring sustained tax revenue to the county for the local government and schools, as well as 30 years of local purchasing, employment, and investment.

Rural Seneca and Sandusky Counties were selected by Apex Clean Energy after a thorough examination of many candidate sites within Ohio for the following reasons:

• Verified wind resource
• Existing high-voltage power lines
• Expansive commercial farmland
• Existing network of state highways
• Avoids sensitive military and environmental areas
• Strong local landowner and community support
• County has previous experience in siting and approving wind farm development  

Farmers who host turbines on their property and other participating landowners will also receive annual lease payments. These payments will continue over the projected 30-year lifespan of the wind farm, injecting millions of dollars into the economies of Seneca County and Sandusky County to support local merchants, contractors, and equipment suppliers.

WIND ENERGY FOR RURAL AMERICA

The cost of wind energy has dropped more than 50% over the past five years, providing a cost-competitive source for clean electricity across the nation. Wind powers the equivalent of 25 million American homes each year.* Wind energy comes with many benefits, including reduced pollution, increased domestic employment, consumer cost savings, water conservation, nationwide availability, and increased community revenues.** Wind turbines compliment working farms, because they allow for existing agricultural operations to continue around them. They also help farmers by diversifying the rural economy and providing a consistent, drought-resistant new harvest.

POTENTIAL TIMELINE

The anticipated date of commercial operation is 2022.

*AWEA, Wind Energy Facts at a Glance, 2019

**Department of Energy, Wind Vision: A New Era for Wind Power in the United States, 2015