Goldrush Apple Wind

Apex Clean Energy is exploring the feasibility of constructing Goldrush Apple Wind, a wind energy project located in rural Peoria, Stark, and Marshall Counties, Illinois. Based on transmission capacity and local wind data, Goldrush Apple Wind has the potential to generate up to 900 megawatts of clean, homegrown Illinois energy.

Apex is working with local landowners, community leaders, and various stakeholders to design a project that fits with the community and complements the agricultural heritage of the area. The project site has several key attributes, including:

• Verified wind resource
• Expansive private land
• Strong community spirit
• Minimal environmental impacts

Goldrush Apple Wind will be developed in three phases. METs (meteorological evaluation towers), are currently in place and actively collecting valuable data for the projects. 

A Clean Economic Opportunity for Peoria, Stark, and Marshall Counties

Goldrush Apple Wind will create jobs and generate an entirely new source of long-term revenue for local schools, government services, and property owners. The total development is anticipated to result in over $323 million dollars in property tax payments over the life of the project, including over $189 million for area school districts.

As the project progresses, we will have better insight into additional details, including construction jobs, long-term employment, and indirect economic benefits to the local economy. At that point, we will commission a new study and update this page. For now, you can see details on the economic impact for the total proposed project here.

Landowners participating in the wind project will also receive annual lease payments. These payments will continue over the projected 30-year lifespan of the wind farm, injecting millions of dollars into the local economy to support local merchants, contractors, equipment suppliers, auto dealers, and others. The power from Goldrush Apple Wind will be delivered into the Illinois electrical grid, reducing the need to import electricity from outside markets.

Local Economic Benefits

• $323 million over 30 years of annual revenue for counties, first responders, township government services, and schools in taxes, more than $189 million of which will go to local schools.
• Hundreds of jobs and significant local spending during construction
• Upon completion of the project, a donation of $1,000 per MW through the Apex Conservation Grant Program
• Taxpayers protected against decommissioning costs
• 30 years of revenue for landowners