The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has granted (Feb. 12, 2026) a permit to construct the Philip Wind Project in Haakon County.
Philip Wind Partners, LLC, will construct the Philip Wind Project with up to 87 turbines covering 68,300 acres. The project has the capability of generating 333 megawatts of energy and plans to include an approximately 5.5-mile long 230-kV generator transmission tie line. The project will cost approximately $750 million to construct.
PUC Chairman Chris Nelson says Philip Wind Partners has proven they’re entitled to this permit under the criteria established in state law. He says when constructed, this wind facility will be the largest wind farm in South Dakota, reinforcing the state’s electricity generation capacity.
Pending completion of all pre-construction activities, Philip Wind plans to begin construction in June 2026. The wind project will be supported by a less than one mile extension of an existing 230-kV line owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative that also received approval at the meeting. In addition, the Western Area Power Administration– WAPA– will construct the 230-kV Philip North Switchyard and two tie-ins to interconnect the project into WAPA’s existing Oahe to New Underwood 230-kV transmission line.
Through negotiations PUC staff and Philip Wind resolved all issues and submitted a settlement agreement including 55 conditions for the Commission to consider at the end of January. Those conditions address a wide array of issues and set out requirements that must be adhered to during construction, operation and maintenance of the facility. During their discussion, commissioners asked for additional details on easement agreements, aircraft detection lighting systems, transmission line route changes and follow up from comments and concerns that were raised at the commission’s October 2025 public input meeting in Philip.
PUC Vice Chairperson Kristie Fiegen says the Philip Wind Project is a perfect example of why public input meetings are so important to the work the PUC does with siting dockets. She says that meeting gave commissioners and PUC staff an opportunity to get additional information, make changes and develop conditions that have made this project better.
Philip Wind filed their application with the PUC on Aug. 15, 2025, starting the clock on a statutory nine-month review period. In addition to the turbines, the project plans include a 34.5-kilovolt electrical collection and supervisory control and data acquisition systems, a 230-kV collector substation, an operations and maintenance facility, up to three aircraft detection lighting system towers, access roads, and up to three meteorological towers.
PUC Commissioner Gary Hanson says he especially appreciates PUC staff and their incredible work. He says, “They are the Adam Vinatieri Hall of Famers of the PUC.”
The Philip Wind Project docket can be viewed on the PUC’s website at puc.sd.gov, Commission Actions, Electric Dockets, 2025 Electric Dockets, EL25-029, https://puc.sd.gov/Dockets/Electric/2025/EL25-029.aspx.
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