Alle-Catt Wind Energy has received approval for the construction of a 340MW wind power facility in western New York State. The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment (Siting Board) approved the plans today.

The company will develop wind farms in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Wyoming counties. The clean energy generated will power 134,000 average-sized homes annually.

Siting Board chair John Rhodes said: “In keeping with Governor Andrew Cuomo’s ambitious goals for carbon reduction and for a clean energy economy, we must develop the clean energy resources in New York State needed to help all New Yorkers.

“Our decision today to approve the largest wind farm to date will help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and demonstrates that renewable energy works in New York and helps move us toward a clean energy future.”

The new wind facility will be built on approximately 30,000 acres of land area and will be equipped with 116 wind turbines.

It will also include related underground collection system and substation and infrastructure in the Towns of Arcade, Centerville, Farmersville, Freedom, and Rushford.

Authorities expect the wind farm to generate up to $78m in local property tax revenues over the next 20 years. Local governments will also benefit with $3.2m annual payments expected from the wind farm.

The Siting Board said the permission for the new wind facility was awarded to the firm after a detailed review and public participation process.