247-MW Buffalo Solar Farm Proposed North of Jamestown Could Bring $23.4M

New Leaf Energy outlined the Buffalo solar project on Jan. 8, proposing a utility-scale installation of about 247 megawatts across approximately 1,600 acres north of Jamestown. Company representatives estimated construction would cost about $370 million, create roughly 200 to 300 construction jobs, and take 12-18 months to build, with a targeted start in summer 2028 and completion in summer 2029.

The project would interconnect to Otter Tail Power Co.'s high-voltage grid, requiring regional grid approvals in addition to local land-use decisions. New Leaf is pursuing township zoning changes and a conditional-use permit from Fried Township; the proposal will also need sign-offs from the North Dakota Public Service Commission before moving forward.

Fiscal impacts drove much of the discussion at the county meeting. New Leaf projected about $23.4 million in cumulative state and local tax payments over 30 years, with allocations planned for the local school district, Stutsman County, Fried Township and the township fire department. That total averages roughly $780,000 per year, potentially providing a steady revenue stream for local services and education budgets if the project is approved and constructed.

Officials also reviewed project siting commitments. New Leaf described industry-standard setbacks and decommissioning commitments intended to address long-term land restoration and neighbor concerns; the company said it would follow accepted decommissioning practices should the site be retired. The scale of the site, 1,600 acres, would represent a significant land-use conversion in the county and raise questions about visual impacts, agricultural land availability and property values that local officials and residents will weigh during zoning deliberations.

Beyond the Buffalo presentation, the Stutsman County Commission received updates on a Crystal Springs watershed feasibility study, reporting progress on local water-management planning. Commissioners also approved a correction to legislative tax relief calculations to be reflected on 2025 tax statements, a change residents should review when they receive those bills.

Next steps for the Buffalo project include Fried Township zoning votes and the conditional-use permit process, followed by state-level Public Service Commission review and any interconnection studies required by Otter Tail Power Co. Residents and local officials will have multiple opportunities for input as regulatory and permitting steps proceed over the coming years.