Maine DEP Approves First Wind's Proposed 150 MW Wind Farm

First Wind has been approved by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to expand its wind energy generation capacity in the Pine Tree State.

With a unanimous "yes" from the DEP, First Wind takes a big step towards constructing its proposed Oakfield Wind project.

Located in Aroostook County, the wind farm will employ 50 wind turbines that will combine to generate up to 150 MW of renewable energy. Originally the Oakfield Wind project was proposed to generate 51 MW which was approved by the DEP in January 2010. In June 2011, however, the Boston-based wind developer submitted an amended proposal to increase the project's size.

First Wind already owns four wind farms in Maine the largest of which is the 60 MW Rollins Wind project which the company brought online six months ago. However, that is less than half of what the Oakfield project will generate. In fact, when the project is complete it will nearly double the generation the combined capacity that First Wind is currently generating in the state.

Although First Wind has not disclosed who will purchase the energy generated at the Oakfield facility. If it is purchased by a utility providing electricity to Maine residents, the project could also help the state reach renewable energy targets.

Maine's Renewable Portfolio Standard requires utilities to source 40% of their retail electricity from renewable energy generation by 2017. This includes adding 10% from new resources that the state's Public Utilities Commission calls Class I. Eligible new renewables include those placed into services after September 2005. Maine has also set specific wind generation goals which include 3,000 MW of installed capacity by 2020.

Matt Kearns, First Wind's Vice President of Business Development at First Wind says after a lengthy review process, the company is looking forward to moving ahead with the project.

“The local review process on this project has been unprecedented. We provided resources for the Town to hire independent sound experts, engineers, and lawyers and participated in a lengthy and robust review process in which issues of local interest were fully reviewed. We did that both for the originally planned project, and again based on the revised project layout," said Kearns.

There was no estimate as to when construction may begin but when it does Maine's economy will get a boost. First Wind has already injected more than $10 million into the local economy to support the project's development.

Image Credit: Martin Cathrae via Flickr