Mississippi
Advancing Wind Energy in the Magnolia State
Mississippi is a New Market for Land-Based Wind
Mississippi, particularly its Delta region, is emerging as a key hub for wind energy in the Southeast. With its flat agricultural landscape and consistent wind resources, the Delta offers ideal conditions for land-based wind energy at both 110-meter and 140-meter hub heights. Combined with a supportive regulatory environment and its strategic location within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) RTO, Mississippi is well-positioned to lead wind energy development in the region. These factors provide substantial advantages for new wind projects, making Mississippi a central player with significant untapped potential in the Southeast’s clean energy landscape.
The Delta Wind Farm in Tunica County, operational since April 2024, exemplifies this potential with 41 of the nation’s tallest turbines, each standing at 692 feet. The project is part of Amazon's $10 billion investment in the state—the largest in Mississippi’s history. This investment has been key in highlighting the potential for further growth in renewable energy projects that drive economic development and sustainability. For more information on how wind energy is benefiting the Delta Region, please check out our Wind Energy in the Mississippi Delta Fact Sheet.
Delta Wind Project, Tunica County, MS—operational since April 2024. Image courtesy of AES
Siting and Permitting
Wind projects in Mississippi are carefully sited to coexist with agricultural and other land uses, balancing environmental considerations with community needs. The wind resource increases close to the Mississippi River, creating a more favorable environment for wind energy development. Mississippi currently imposes no state or local restrictions on wind energy projects, enhancing its appeal for developers. Further, policies like reduced ad valorem tax assessments for renewable energy projects make the state even more attractive for investment.
Mississippi Wind Resource at 100 m, image courtesy of NREL
Project Pipeline
The Delta Wind Farm, located in Tunica County, stands as Mississippi’s first operational wind farm and serves as a landmark initiative in the state's wind energy journey. This 184.5 MW project, developed by AES, showcases how large-scale wind development can thrive in the Delta region's flat, agricultural terrain.
As the state's blueprint for wind energy, the Delta Wind Farm demonstrates the potential for more projects in the pipeline. With growing interest from developers, additional wind projects are being explored in the Delta region, highlighting the area’s capacity to become a hub for renewable energy, further boosting local economies through job creation, land lease payments, and long-term community investments.
Delta Wind video, courtesy of AES.
SEWC Tours Delta Wind with partners in May 2024. Video credit: Jaxon Tolbert
Partners in Mississippi
Wind energy growth in Mississippi is driven by collaborations with key partners such as the Tunica County Chamber of Commerce, local NGOs, and community organizations. These partnerships work to promote renewable energy through education, advocacy, and engagement, ensuring that wind projects are both successful and beneficial to local communities. As the blueprint established by the Delta Wind Farm inspires more development, these relationships will be crucial in building a strong foundation for sustainable clean energy expansion across the Delta Region.
Mississippi Resources
Unexpected Benefits of Wind Fact Sheet
Wind Energy in the Mississippi Delta
Wind Energy 101
Wind Energy Permitting
Wind Farms and Agriculture