Cape & Islands News

Largest New England Coastal Wind Project begins power generation

Fox Islands Wind Project dedicates turbines, generates power for two islands

The new Fox Island Wind turbines in Mid Coastal Maine turn gracefully like kinetic art above the state's symbol, the  pine tree. Above shows turbines from both sides. See the aerial of the site at the bottom.

Project along the popular Maine coast gets jump on Bay State project

This morning, Maine Governor John Baldacci joined the communities on the Fox Islands in a ceremony to dedicate the largest community-owned wind facility on the East Coast and the largest off-shore wind farm in New England. The Fox Islands Wind Project's three large-scale wind turbines will generate 4.5 megawatts of electricity for the islands of Vinalhaven and North Haven, providing clean energy to the islands' residents for decades to come.

The dedication marks the commencement of stabilized power supplies and lowered energy costs for the islands' residents, who currently pay more than double the national average for their power.

Governor Baldacci and Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree joined leaders of the Fox Islands project to dedicate the wind energy project, a model for communities up and down the Eastern Seaboard.

"The Fox Islands community wind project demonstrates that a local community can harness the power of a local, renewable resource and become an example to the rest of the State and the nation. This new wind installation puts Maine at the cutting edge of renewable energy development, and proves that coastal wind is a viable, low-cost energy source."
           - Maine Gov. Baldacci.

United States Senator Olympia Snowe also weighed in, saying from Washington, "The development, construction, and operation of the Fox Island Wind Farm is a testament to the collaboration of the island communities of Vinalhaven and North Haven, the Island Institute, USDA and Cianbro. This project is successful not only because it addresses the staggeringly high electricity prices on the island through renewable energy, but it also illustrates what other island communities, towns, the State of Maine and the country can accomplish. We must build on the success of this project and through this model I am hopeful that we can catalyze the renewable energy revolution."

The turbines' dedication is the result of strong support from the entire Fox Islands community since the project's inception. In a nearly unanimous vote in July 2008, island residents ushered in a new era of renewable power in Maine by approving the project, and the arrival of the turbines earlier this summer was hailed by local residents. Several other island and coastal communities are now looking at community wind power as a viable alternative to traditional energy sources.

The Maine coast is dotted with lighthouses like Cape Cod. This is Curtis Island Light at the entrance of Camden with the Camden Hill looming above opposite the wind turbines on Vinalhaven. cc2day photo.

"It is exciting to see the turbines in operation," said George Baker, Fox Islands Wind CEO and Vice President for Community Wind at the Island Institute. "To see them providing benefits to these islands is the culmination of years of contribution by many people. These island communities are truly leaders in the field of coastal renewable energy," added Baker.

"This project demonstrates wind energy's reliability and cost-effectiveness," said Victor Abate, Vice President, Renewables for GE Power & Water, which supplied the turbines. "The Fox Islands Wind Project should serve as an example of how safe, clean, renewable wind energy can power America and create jobs. GE is proud to be a part of this project and we're confident that wind power will be a major source of clean, affordable energy for communities large and small."

The three turbines are expected to generate approximately 11,600 megawatt hours of electricity per year, supplying the island communities with cleaner, more affordable power. Any additional energy not used by the communities will be sent off-island to the grid. The electricity generated from the project is expected to offset 5,400 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The electricity generated from the wind power project is expected to offset 5,400 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Peter Vigue is the CEO of Cianbro, the general contractor for the project. "The success of this project is a result of the hard work and cooperation of all of the talented people who helped make these wind turbines a reality," said Vigue, "from the technical expertise of consultants, subcontractors, and engineers, to the hands-on quality provided by the crews in the field, to the wisdom of island citizens who know a pragmatic solution when they see one."

The project is a collaboration of several New England-based companies and organizations, including the Island Institute, Cianbro Corporation, EOS Ventures, Diversified Communications and Fox Islands Electric Cooperative.

Vinalhaven and North Haven Islands are in Penobscot Bay less than six miles offshore opposite the thriving tourist meccas of Camden, Rockport and Rockland. The wind farm in the aerial below spin in full view of the Camden Hills for Maine's summer visitors.