A wind farm in Wyoming County, NY gives an idea of the size and scope of the turbines that may soon be put in place in Villenova and Hanover. (Photo from the Buffalo News)

ARKWRIGHT – A $156 Million wind farm in northern Chautauqua County is making progress and will commence with construction next year.

That’s according to officials with the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, who participated in the announcement on Wednesday in the Arkwright Town Hall.

IDA officials say that Arkwright Summit Wind Farm LLC – a company owned by EDP Renewables North America LLC (EDPR) – will build 36 wind turbines with a maximum generating capacity of 78.4 megawatts- which is enough electricity to power approximately 31,500 households. The wind farm will span approximately 6500 acres of leased private land in the Towns of Arkwright and Pomfret.

In addition to the turbines, the wind farm will include one permanent meteorological tower, an operation and maintenance building, underground electrical lines and communication cables, an overhead generator lead line, and a system of gravel access roads, parking, landscaping and related improvements.

The large scale wind project – which has been in the works for over ten years – has received local municipal approval, and the IDA approved financial assistance for the project in October 2015.

According to EDPR officials, the Wind Farm will pay a total of $313,600 each year for 30 years to be split among Chautauqua County, the towns of Pomfret and Arkwright, and the Pine Valley, Forestville, and Fredonia school districts.

In addition, more than $500,000 will be paid in annual lease payments to participating land owners.

The company anticipates the creation of six permanent jobs in addition to 250 part time positions during the wind farm’s construction.