Representatives discuss proposed wind farm
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
EDP renewables held an open house at Central Aroostook High School on Tuesday, Nov. 12, to show the proposed wind farm to run from E Plantation to St. Croix. Pictured from the left are: Bill Whitlock, executive vice president with EDPR; Bob Lunney; Jill Lunney; and Katie Chapman, project manager with EDPR. Bob and Jill own a camp on Number Nine Lake, which is in the middle of the northern portion of the project area.
By Tomi Henderson
Special to The Star-Herald
MARS HILL — The Mars Hill Rotary Club gathered on Nov. 12 at the Aroostook Health Center. The special speaker was Katie Chapman, EDP Renewables’ project manager for the proposed wind farm running from E Plantation to St. Croix.
The company currently has 29 farms located throughout the United States and Canada. She was joined by Kellen Ingalls, project developer, and Bill Whitlock, executive vice president.
They spoke about the 259 megawatt project, which would include a number of 2 or 3 MW towers. They are currently doing environmental studies, which will run into 2014. State permits would be applied for into 2015, with construction taking place in 2015 and 2016.
The company currently has 58,500 acres under lease for this project. There is a minimum of a half-mile setback from any camp or home, although this may change depending on results from the studies currently under way.
On average, each tower will produce enough energy in a year’s time to power 500 homes. The company already has a 15-year power purchase agreement with Connecticut. There will be a power line run from this project south to connect with the grid.
The company held an open house at Central Aroostook High School the evening of Nov. 12 to show the proposed area for the farm and answer questions about the proposed project.
For more information about EDP Renewables, visit their website at www.edpr.com.
