Monday, January 25, 2010

First Wind to build Maine wind farm

By Lauren Keiper

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Local wind farm developer First Wind Holdings Inc. has signed a deal to build dozens of wind turbines for a renewable energy project in upstate Maine.

The latest wind farm from First Wind, of Boston, represents what would be the company’s third wind project in Maine and the second in Aroostook County. The Oakfield Wind project is expected to consist of 34 GE 1.5-megawatt turbines that would power more than 20,000 homes with clean, renewable energy.

Wind power proponents say Maine businesses and workers should see new spending and job creation when construction begins on the recently approved project. For example, businesses in Maine saw $50 million in new spending from First Wind during the construction of its Stetson Wind project in Washington County, according to the company. Over 350 workers found jobs during that building phase and the company expects similar economic benefits for the state when they break ground on the new Oakfield site.

First Wind has three other wind projects in development in Maine and says it operates six wind farms in the U.S. The company has yet to determine a start date for construction on the Oakfield project.