A Steuben County wind farm has received final siting permits from the state Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission, paving the way for the creation of 36 additional wind turbines across approximately 53 acres in Prattsburgh, Avoca, Cohocton, Howard and Wheeler.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced that Prattsburgh Wind LLC and the Rich Road Solar Energy Center, in St. Lawrence County, each received final siting approval. The solar farm and the wind farm will bring a combined 387 megawatts of renewable energy to New York’s electric grid, powering more than 123,000 average-sized homes. 

The Steuben County project includes 36 wind turbines and related infrastructure on “primarily rural land,” according to the governor’s office. The project will generate more than $1.2 million annually in tax revenue for local municipalities and over $500,000 in direct lease and neighbor agreement payments to landowners, officials said.

The Prattsburgh wind farm is a 147 MW project that will produce enough power for an estimated 62,000 homes, according to developers.

It is expected to create 81 on-site jobs during construction, and support eight full-time positions when it is operational.

“These two massive renewable energy projects are prime examples of our progress in transitioning to a clean energy economy,” Hochul said. “With the issuance of these siting permits, we are creating good-paying jobs in the North Country and the Southern Tier, while providing clean sustainable energy for our families and businesses.” 

The application for the Prattsburgh wind farm was deemed complete on Oct. 30, 2023, with a draft permit issued by ORES on Dec. 29, 2023, officials said.

Hochul made the announcement during New York’s Climate Week, marking the second and third major renewable energy facility permits issued by ORES this month.  

The Alfred Oaks solar farm, a 100-megawatt project in the town of Alfred in Allegany County, was issued a final siting permit Sept. 10.

The state’s Climate Act mandates 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and a zero-emissions electricity sector by 2040.

“Every megawatt of clean energy that comes online is a win for New Yorkers in the fight against climate change, and brings lasting economic benefits to our state,” said Alliance for Clean Energy Executive Marguerite Wells. “We thank the state and ORES for granting these siting permits and we look forward to the day the switch is flipped and power flows from these important projects.”