Concord Light Eying Wind Energy from Maine

Wind energy will soon be coming to Concord courtesy of a project in Maine, according to Concord Town Manager Chris Whelan.

Whelan provided the update to selectman this week, stating that the Spruce Mountain project in Woodstock, ME “has completed the necessary environmental permits in order to commence construction.” He added that Concord Light would eventually purchase energy from wind harnessed at the site.

Patriot Renewables, LLC is the developer of the project and began “Phase 1” of construction on June 6, which includes “clearing, blasting and grading the turbine access road,” according to the Spruce Mountain Wild website. The site also relates that the project will feature a nameplate capacity of 20 megawatts, as well as 10 Gamesa 2.0-megawatt turbines.

The project has not been without controversy in Maine, as a group called Friends of Spruce Mountain has argued that the property is densely populated and that placing turbines 2,200 feet from abutting homes is too close. Patriot Renewables said that the distance is actually 2,650 feet away and that approximately 1,000 acres of the project will be placed into conservation.

Whelan believes that the Spruce Mountain project should be operational by 2012. He also related that Concord Light’s share of the output is “approximately six million kilowatt hours per year or 3% of our energy needs.”