Coles Wind

Homegrown energy to power America and strengthen communities

Wind turbines scattered across vast green fields at sunset with the sun behind a turbine blade.
Location pin icon
Coles County,
Illinois
Lightning bolt icon signifying electricity
300
megawatts
Wind turbine icon
70
turbines
Task checklist icon
Planned Operation
2027
Map showing Coles County with nearby towns Arthur, Arcola, Oakland, Mattoon, and Charleston marked. Roads labeled with numbers like 133, 57, 45, 16, 130, and 121 connect the towns. A large wind turbine icon highlights the Coles Wind Area of Interest east of Charleston.

About the Project

Apex Clean Energy is currently constructing Coles Wind, a wind energy project expected to generate up to 300 megawatts of clean, homegrown energy.

The Coles Wind project provides an opportunity to help address Illinois's growing electricity demand with clean, homegrown energy, while diversifying the local economy and supporting jobs in the local community.

Power for up to 103,000 homes

Affordable, reliable, and renewable electricity.

Up to $81 million in new local tax revenue

Benefitting Coles County, local schools, and other taxing bodies

Hundreds of construction jobs

Plus significant local spending with Ohio businesses during construciton

Long-term careers

Operations and maintenance jobs for the project’s 30+ year lifespan.

Supporting farmers and landowners

A dependable, long-term source of income.

Project Timeline

From initial planning to commercial operations, this timeline displays completed milestones and remaining project phases.

Pre-2025
Landowner and Community Outreach, Project Design
January 2025
County permit application submitted
July 2025
County permit approved
2025
Start of Consruction
2026
Turbine Deliveries and Installation
2027
Commercial Operation

Community and Landowner Resources

Landowner and community resources
Green John Deere agricultural machine in a field with wind turbines against a clear blue sky.

Powering Better Communities

Energy projects are major economic development opportunities for communities. We want to ensure our projects create lasting value in addition to becoming one of the community's largest taxpayers.

One of Apex Clean Energy’s goals is to be a dependable, long-term partner with residents, landowners, local governments, and community organizations wherever our projects are located. We believe in community-based clean energy and enhancing the benefits of our energy projects for host communities in rural America.

From our industry leading community and conservation grant programs to innovative lease structures and partnering with local vendors for construction, we take the time to understand and invest in your community.

Green John Deere agricultural machine in a field with wind turbines against a clear blue sky.

Partnering with Landowners

Apex Clean Energy is partnering with farmers and landowners across America to harvest the wind and the sun on their land to generate clean, affordable, American energy. Participating landowners benefit from annual lease payments that provide stable, predictable income in times of uncertainty and are not dependent on commodity prices, trade policy, or weather conditions. No project is possible without the interest and support of local landowners and all participation is voluntary. 

Apex develops, constructs, owns, and operates clean energy projects throughout America. In most cases, our company will be with you throughout the entire project life cycle. We build long-term relationships because the work we put in today is what will carry our partnership through decades.

Latest News and Highlights

Grassland

Wind Stories: A New Crop for America's Heartland

Watch to learn how wind energy can transform rural communities. Explore the benefits, opportunities, and innovations that come with harnessing this renewable resource.

Watch More Wind Stories
Green John Deere agricultural machine in a field with wind turbines against a clear blue sky.

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