Coles Wind Farm Begins Turbine Blade Installation

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Coles Wind Farm Begins Turbine Blade Installation

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Construction is underway on the Coles Wind project in Coles County, Illinois, with blades recently installed on the first wind turbine. The project, developed by Apex Clean Energy, is planned to include up to 70 turbines across approximately 20,000 acres of open farmland north of Charleston.

The wind farm is designed to produce 300 megawatts of clean energy, which is projected to power 103,000 U.S. homes each year. The Coles Wind project represents a significant investment in the local economy, anticipated to generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for local schools and government services over its estimated 30-year lifespan. Additionally, landowners participating in the project will receive annual lease payments.

The Coles County Board approved the 51-turbine wind farm on July 1, 2025, after a 6-5 vote. This decision followed years of discussion, numerous public meetings, and 14 days of hearings where both proponents and opponents of the project presented their cases. The project aligns with Illinois’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, passed in 2021, which aims to increase renewable energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Construction of the project is expected to continue through 2024, with commercial operation anticipated to begin in 2025.

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