Enel pulls Hope Ridge Wind Farm project

Leases with landowners being terminated

Enel Green Energy has withdrawn the proposed Hope Ridge Wind Farm and is terminating its wind energy contracts with Dickinson County landowners, marking the end of a project that has been under development for several years.

Tim Hamilton, Dickinson County planning and zoning administrator, confirmed the decision, noting that ongoing litigation limits what officials can publicly share.

"Enel Green Energy will pull out of the Hope Ridge Wind Farm project," Hamilton said. "Due to this still in litigation, we can't disclose much more … they have said that they will not pursue going forward."

Hamilton added that, "as of this moment, they have decided not to pursue any kind of project in Dickinson County."

The Hope Ridge project had been planned as a large-scale wind energy development in Dickinson County, with proposals calling for hundreds of megawatts of power generation and participation from dozens of local landowners through lease agreements. The project represented a significant potential investment in renewable energy and rural infrastructure.

However, it also generated public debate and a lawsuit. Supporters highlighted the prospect of increased tax revenue, lease payments for landowners, and economic development. Opponents raised concerns about birds and bats being killed, wind turbines causing health issues, and the effect of the turbines on livestock and crops.

In a lawsuit filed in December 2024, the opponents alleged the county's approval of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) was "unreasonable and unlawful," the project did not meet zoning requirements for wind energy development, the developer did not have agreements from all affected landowners, and that the county mishandled or miscalculated a protest petition that could have blocked the project.

In November 2025, Fifth District Judge Lee Fowler concluded that none of the alleged errors raised by the plaintiffs merited reversal or remand of the BOCC's decision to approve the Conditional Use Permit requested by Enel Wind Energy.

That decision was under appeal.

While the full details of the contract cancellations have not been released, the company's decision effectively halts the Hope Ridge Wind Farm project for the foreseeable future.

Hamilton said a formal statement may be issued as more information becomes available.

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This story was originally published April 3, 2026 at 9:19 AM.