Project Benefits

An older couple wearing plaid shirts stand with arms around each other in a lush green farm field, looking toward distant trees and buildings under a cloudy sky.

Heritage Wind will deliver significant benefits to the community beyond generating reliable, locally generated electricity. These benefits include a direct utility bill reduction for all Barre residents, a new source of income for farmers and landowners, additional tax revenue to support local priorities, hundreds of construction jobs, and long-term operations careers, among others.

Green John Deere agricultural machine in a field with wind turbines against a clear blue sky.

Generating Affordable, Clean, American Energy

Wind energy is among the most affordable sources of electricity in many places across the United States. Because wind requires no fuel, adding them to a utility's mix lowers fuel costs and shields customers from price swings.

Barre residents will also see a direct reduction in their utility bills of up to $150 per year as a result of Heritage Wind.

Green John Deere agricultural machine in a field with wind turbines against a clear blue sky.

New Revenue for Community Priorities

Heritage Wind will provide significant revenue to local governments through approved Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) and Host Community Agreements.

These agreements will result in:

  • Over $27 million to the Town of Barre
  • About $3.5 million to Orleans County
  • About $3.5 million to the Albion School District
  • Over $1 million to the Barre Fire District
Green John Deere agricultural machine in a field with wind turbines against a clear blue sky.

Supporting the Local Farm Economy

Participating farmers and landowners will receive rent payments to host facilities on their property. This revenue can help local farmers diversify their operations and keep the farm in the family. Clean energy projects are helping diversify the incomes of thousands of farmers and landowners across the country, with projects making more than $1 billion in lease payments annually nationwide.

Learn more about how you can join the project and benefit:

Green John Deere agricultural machine in a field with wind turbines against a clear blue sky.

Construction Jobs and Opportunities

Representing a private investment totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, the project will benefit the region by creating hundreds of good-paying construction jobs. During construction, the project will result in significant spending on local materials and services, supporting area small businesses and contractors.

Learn more about Apex Clean Energy’s Local Vendor Program and how we engage community businesses to bring our projects to life:

Green John Deere agricultural machine in a field with wind turbines against a clear blue sky.

Long-term Clean Energy Careers

Renewable energy jobs are among the fastest-growing employment opportunities in the country, with installation and technician positions consistently ranked among the top five fastest-growing occupations. The total number of positions is expected to grow by 40% to 60% over the next decade.

Technician jobs are also good-paying jobs, with a median wage of more than $60,000 per year.

Green John Deere agricultural machine in a field with wind turbines against a clear blue sky.

A Commitment to Host Communities

We don’t wait for our projects to become operational to start giving back to the community. The Heritage Wind Community Grant Program has supported numerous community organizations in the Town of Barre and throughout Orleans County. The program focuses its support towards non-profit organizations and entities seeking to build healthy communities, support economic development, foster environmental sustainability, and promote education.

Heritage Wind has provided more than $110,000 in funding to support community causes in the project area. As a company, Apex Clean Energy has donated more than $7 million in support of organizations across the country since 2017. Learn more and apply today: