Solar Developer Plans $128 Million Investment in Freeborn County

Hayward Solar Project Hires Local Representative, Opens Office in Albert Lea

ALBERT LEA, Minnesota – Arevon Energy Management (AEM) and Tenaska are developing a 150-megawatt (MW) solar project in Freeborn County that would bring substantial economic benefits to the community. To ensure the public has access to information about the Hayward Solar Project – and to highlight the companies’ commitment to the community – county resident Tracy Skaar has been hired as local representative.

“Part of our commitment to being a good business neighbor is to have a local representative who can share information about the solar project,” said Tiago Sabino Dias, president and CEO of AEM. “We are excited that Tracy has joined the Hayward Solar team. His knowledge of the community will be invaluable as we advance a project that benefits Freeborn County and is respectful of neighbors.”

Skaar is a resident of Hayward Township, and his family has pioneer roots in the township. He raises corn, soybeans, hay, oats, and cattle alongside his wife, Sue, and one of his sons, Mic. Before engaging in his own family farm operation, Skaar studied diversified ag production at the University of Minnesota technical college in Waseca. He then pursued dairy science at South Dakota State University. Later in life, he diversified his education by enrolling in the Wind Turbine Technician/Solar Installer program at Riverland Community College in southern Minnesota. Today, Skaar serves on the Hayward Fire Department as a firefighter and emergency medical responder.

“I am excited about the opportunity to be part of this project and I truly believe it will provide long-term benefits to our area,” Skaar said. “I look forward to having the opportunity to meet with people at my weekly office hours and around the community.”

Skaar will be available at the Hayward Solar Project’s newly opened local office, located at 137 N. Broadway Ave. Office hours are 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, or by appointment. Skaar can be reached at tracy@haywardsolarproject.com or 507-320-3142.

The Hayward Solar Project will be located on approximately 2,000 acres of land in Hayward Township in Freeborn County. The project will be subject to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s process to obtain a Site Permit and Certificate of Need. Pending approval, construction is anticipated to begin in 2022, with operation starting in 2023 and continuing for 35 years.

More information is available on the project website: www.haywardsolarproject.com.

The Hayward Solar Project is anticipated to bring substantial benefits to Freeborn County, including tax revenue, construction and operations jobs, contractor opportunities and landowner lease payments, among others. An independent study of direct and indirect economic benefits is currently under way.

The Hayward Solar Project is owned by Capital Dynamics, an independent global asset management firm.

About Tenaska

Tenaska, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is one of the leading independent energy companies in the United States. Forbes magazine consistently ranks Tenaska among the 50 largest private U.S. companies.

Tenaska has developed approximately 10,500 megawatts (MW) of natural gas-fueled and renewable power projects. Affiliate Tenaska Solar Ventures provides development services for approximately 14,000 MW of renewable solar capacity in 16 states. Tenaska and its affiliates have managed the acquisition and divestiture of an additional 10,500 MW of energy assets. The current Tenaska operating fleet includes 12 natural gas-fueled and renewable generating facilities able to generate approximately 7,500 MW combined.

Tenaska affiliates are industry leaders in natural gas and electric power marketing. Tenaska Marketing Ventures (TMV) is among the top five largest natural gas marketers in North America and is the top-ranked natural gas pipeline capacity trader. TMV is consistently top ranked by its customers in the annual Mastio & Company Natural Gas Marketer Customer Value / Loyalty Benchmarking Study. Tenaska Power Services Co. is the leading provider of energy management services to generation and demand-side customers in the U.S., with more third party-owned generation under management than any other provider.

For more information, visit www.tenaska.com.

About Averon Energy Management

Arevon Energy Management (AEM) is an independent company with a partnership with the Capital Dynamics’ Clean Energy Infrastructure platform. AEM’s team of experts work directly with utilities, municipalities, cooperatives, and large corporations to jointly develop clean energy strategies that exceed their economic and sustainability objectives. AEM is a one-stop shop for holistic solutions you can count on for the coming decades. For more information, please visit www.arevonenergy.com.