:Wind power in Maine

File:Net Wind Generation for the State of Maine, 2007 - 2018.png

In 2008, then-Governor John Baldacci set a goal for the state of 2,000 megawatts of wind power installed by 2015 and 3,000 MW by 2020. Since 2007 wind power generation has increased more than 16 times from 99 GWh generated for 2007 to 1623 GWh for 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/state/|title=U.S. Energy Information Administration Detailed State Data|website=U.S. Energy Information Administration|access-date=May 14, 2017}}

As of the end of 2016, 901 megawatts of wind generation capacity had been installed in Maine and generated nearly 14% of the state's total electricity.{{cite web

| url= http://www.awea.org/2016-market-reports

| title= AWEA 4th quarter 2016 Market Report, Public Version

| format= PDF

| date= January 26, 2017

| publisher= American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)

| access-date= February 9, 2017

| archive-date= February 9, 2017

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170209224000/http://www.awea.org/2016-market-reports

| url-status= dead

}}

{{cite web

| url=http://www.awea.org/MediaCenter/pressreleasev2.aspx?ItemNumber=9999

| title=US wind generation reached 5.5% of the grid in 2016

| date=March 6, 2017

| publisher=American Wind Energy Association

| access-date=March 21, 2017

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319111156/http://www.awea.org/MediaCenter/pressreleasev2.aspx?ItemNumber=9999

| archive-date=March 19, 2017

| url-status=dead

| df=mdy-all

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In January 2018, Gov. Paul LePage created a moratorium on all new wind power construction stating, “While out-of-state interests are eager to exploit our western mountains in order to serve their political agendas, we must act judiciously to protect our natural beauty."{{cite news |last1=Writer |first1=Kevin MillerStaff |title=LePage blocks new wind energy projects, creates secretive commission to study impacts |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/24/lepage-imposes-moratorium-on-new-wind-energy-permits/ |access-date=20 February 2019 |work=Press Herald |date=24 January 2018}} Gov. Janet Mills ended the moratorium in February 2019 after she was elected governor.{{cite news |last1=Acquisto |first1=Alex |title=Janet Mills lifts LePage ban on new wind power permits in Maine |url=http://bangordailynews.com/2019/02/15/politics/mills-lifts-lepage-ban-on-new-wind-power-permits-in-maine/?ref=most-popular |access-date=20 February 2019 |work=Bangor Daily News |date=15 February 2019}}

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Image:Mars Hill Wind Farm 672336669 6d41098ae0 o.jpg

In 2006, First Wind Holdings, LLC developed the first wind farm in Maine on Mars Hill ({{coord|46|31.26|N|67|48.82|W |type:mountain_region:US-ME |name=Mars Hill}}). First Wind installed 28 GE 1.5 MW Wind Turbines at a cost of $85 million along the top and northern section of the mountain. The blades attached to the hub of the turbine are about 115 ft (35 m) long. This is small compared to the wind turbines available in {{CURRENTYEAR}}.

The 3 turbine Beaver Ridge Wind Project is located in Freedom Maine({{Coord|44.496576|-69.333690|format=dms}}). It is owned and operated by Patriot Renewables and was commissioned on November 1, 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/ne_project_detail.asp?id=50 |title=Wind Powering America: New England Wind Project: Beaver Ridge Wind Project |website=www.windpoweringamerica.gov |access-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115011920/http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/ne_project_detail.asp?id=50 |archive-date=15 January 2009 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.patriotrenewables.com/BeaverRidgeWind.html|title=About the Beaver Ridge Wind Project|website=Patriot Renewables|access-date=May 14, 2017|archive-date=February 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228044235/http://patriotrenewables.com/BeaverRidgeWind.html|url-status=dead}}

The Stetson I wind farm consists of 38 GE 1.5 MW wind turbines, with a total capacity of 57 megawatts, strung along the north-south ridge of Stetson Mountain ({{coord|45|31|34|N|67|58|35|W |type:mountain_region:US-ME |name=Stetson Mountain}}). It generates approximately 167 million kilowatt-hours (kW·h) of electricity per year and began commercial operations in January 2009.{{cite web | url= http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/01/57-mw-stetson-wind-farm-starts-commercial-operations-in-maine-54573

| title= 57-MW Stetson Wind Farm Starts Commercial Operations in Maine

| date= January 23, 2009 |publisher= RenewableEnergyWorld.com

| access-date= 2009-03-21 }} First Wind received $40.44 million from the federal government to complete the Stetson I project which was one of twelve grants made to wind projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus program.{{cite news

| url= http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/118762.html

| title= Maine wind farm gets stimulus funds

| first= Nick Jr.

| last= Sambides

| date= September 2, 2009

| work= Bangor Daily News

| access-date= 2009-09-04

| archive-date= 2009-10-07

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091007181822/http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/118762.html

| url-status= dead

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In March 2009, the Maine Land Use Regulation Committee (LURC) approved First Wind's $60 million 25.5 MW Stetson II expansion. Seventeen turbines were installed on nearby Jimmy ({{coord|45|37|48|N|67|58|47|W |type:mountain_region:US-ME |name=Jimmy Mountain}}) and Owl ({{coord|45|35|34|N|67|57|34|W |type:mountain_region:US-ME |name=Owl Mountain}}) mountains.

{{cite news | url= http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/100847.html | archive-url= https://archive.today/20120719184241/http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/100847.html | url-status= dead | archive-date= July 19, 2012 | title= Commission OKs Stetson II wind farm | first= Nick Jr. | last= Sambides | date= March 4, 2009 | work= Bangor Daily News | access-date= 2009-03-21 }}

First Wind was bought by SunEdison and TerraForm Power in November 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/11/17/sunedison-terraform-to-buy-first-wind-for-24b.html|title=SunEdison, TerraForm to buy First Wind for $2.4B|last=CNBC|website=CNBC |date=2014-11-17|access-date=2017-09-07}}

The Fox Islands Wind Power Project ({{coord|44.094|-68.868 |format=dms |region:US-ME |name=Fox Islands, Maine}}) is a 4.5 MW wind project consisting of three GE 1.5 MW wind turbines, providing power for North Haven and Vinalhaven Island. The $14.5 million project is expected to produce 11,600 megawatt-hours of electricity per year. Approved by a vote of 383–5 on July 29, 2008 by members of the Fox Islands Electric Cooperative, construction began on June 29, 2009, and the wind farm went online on November 17.{{cite news|url=http://www.workingwaterfront.com/articles/Community-celebrates-Fox-Islands-wind-power-groundbreaking/13237/|title=Community celebrates Fox Islands wind power groundbreaking|last=Tyler|first=David A.|date=July 2009|work=The Working Waterfront|access-date=2009-07-03|archive-date=2009-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705001731/http://www.workingwaterfront.com/articles/Community-celebrates-Fox-Islands-wind-power-groundbreaking/13237/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/northeast/view/20090630vinalhaven_turbines_to_provide_enough_electricity_for_1500/srvc=home&position=recent|title=Vinalhaven turbines to provide enough electricity for 1,500|last=Curtis|first=Abigail|date=June 30, 2009|work=Bangor Daily News|access-date=2009-07-03}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}{{cite news|url=http://www.timesargus.com/article/20091124/NEWS02/911240345/1003/NEWS02|title=Maine Islands Get Power From Wind|date=November 17, 2009|publisher=Associated Press (AP)|access-date=2009-11-18}}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The project has significantly reduced rates on the island residents, who previously imported all their power from the mainland via a submarine power cable.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxislands.net/windpower/|title=Fox Islands Electric Wind Power Project|publisher=Fox Islands Electric|access-date=2009-06-05}}{{cite news|url=http://www.workingwaterfront.com/online-exclusives/Construction-to-start-on-Fox-Islands-wind-project/13163/|title=Construction to start on Fox Islands wind project|last=Conkling|first=Micah|date=June 2009|work=The Working Waterfront|access-date=2009-06-05|archive-date=2009-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901143131/http://www.workingwaterfront.com/online-exclusives/Construction-to-start-on-Fox-Islands-wind-project/13163/|url-status=dead}}

However, the noise generated by the turbines has caused considerable controversy on the island.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/06/business/energy-environment/06noise.html|title=For Those Near, the Miserable Hum of Clean Energy|last=Zeller|first=Tom Jr.|date=October 5, 2010|work=The New York Times|access-date=2010-10-14}}

In 2009, the University of Maine at Presque Isle installed a single 600 KW wind turbine on campus ({{coord|46|40.0416|N|68|1.21|W |type:mountain_region:US-ME |name=University of Maine at Presque Isle}}) to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.{{cite web |title=UMPI's Wind Turbine |url=https://www.umpi.edu/wind/project/ |website=University of Maine at Presque Isle |date=14 October 2009 |access-date=8 January 2019}} This turbine produces approximately 680,000 KWh per year and saves the university approximately $100,000 in energy costs each year. The turbine was damaged in a fire in April 2018.{{cite news |title=UMPI's wind turbine damaged in late-night fire |url=https://www.wagmtv.com/content/news/UMPIs-wind-turbine-damaged-in-late-night-fire-478543803.html |access-date=19 January 2019 |work=www.wagmtv.com |publisher=WAGM |date=April 2, 2018 |language=en}}

File:Kibby Mountian Wind Turbines.JPG

The Kibby Mountain wind farm project—at a capacity of 132 MW{{cite web|url=http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=166911&zoneid=500|title=State approves Kibby wind farm project|date=2008-07-10|work=Bangor Daily News|access-date=2008-08-21}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}—comprises forty-four 3 MW wind turbines strung along the ridges of Kibby Mtn. ({{coord|45|25.12|N|70|32.66|W |type:mountain_region:US-ME |name=Kibby Mountain}}) and nearby Kibby Range ({{coord|45|21.13|N|70|34.58|W |type:mountain_region:US-ME |name=Kibby Range}}).{{cite web|url=http://www.transcanada.com/company/kibby.html|title=Kibby Wind Power|date=2009-10-09|publisher=TransCanada Corporation|access-date=2009-10-21}}

is expected to generate about 357 million kilowatt-hours (41 MW·yr) of electricity annually.

Half the turbines were put online in October 2009, and TransCanada completed the project in 2010.{{cite news|url=http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=110134&catid=2|title=Kibby Mountain Wind Farm Begins Operations|date=2009-10-17|publisher=WCSH|access-date=2009-10-21}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The capital cost of the project is approximately US $320 million.{{cite news|url=http://www.transcanada.com/news/2008_news/20080709.html|title=Kibby Wind Power Project Receives LURC Approval|date=2008-07-09|publisher=TransCanada Corp.|access-date=2008-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914162944/http://www.transcanada.com/news/2008_news/20080709.html|archive-date=2008-09-14|url-status=dead}}

Work on clearing the site began by September 2008.{{cite news|url=http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=207993&ac=PHnws|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128142051/http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=207993&ac=PHnws|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 28, 2013|title=Work begins on Maine's largest wind farm|date=2008-09-03|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=2008-09-04}} Kibby was purchased by LS Power through its affiliate Helix Generation in 2017.{{cite web |title=LS Power Completes Acquisition of 3,950 MW Power Generation Portfolio in Northeast |url=https://www.lspower.com/ls-power-completes-acquisition-3950-mw-power-generation-portfolio-northeast/ |website=LS Power |access-date=19 January 2019 |date=5 June 2017}}

Two Northern Power Systems wind turbines were installed at the Jackman Land Port of Entry by the GSA to provide power for the U.S. border station ({{coord|45.803226|N|70.395042|W |type:mountain_region:US-ME |name=General Services Administration}}). The two wind turbines produce 200 kW and approximately 400,000 kWh per year. This provides approximately 50% of power required to operate the U.S. border station and saves the station from burning approximately {{convert|38,000|usgal|m3}} of fuel each year.{{cite web |title=Jackman Land Port of Entry |url=https://www.gsa.gov/cdnstatic/jackmanmore.pdf |website=General Services Administration |access-date=29 January 2019 |archive-date=30 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130053251/https://www.gsa.gov/cdnstatic/jackmanmore.pdf |url-status=dead }} Construction began in April 2010 and the project went online in March 2011.

File:SpruceMountainWF.jpg

The Spruce Mountain wind farm consists of 10 Gamesa G90 2-MW wind turbines. The project is located in Woodstock Maine.({{coord|44.419937|-70.555273 |format=dms |region:US-ME |name=Spruce Mountain}}){{Cite web|url=http://www.patriotrenewables.com/SpruceMountainWind.html|title=About the Spruce Mountain Wind Project|website=Patriot Renewables|access-date=May 14, 2017|archive-date=February 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228043830/http://patriotrenewables.com/SpruceMountainWind.html|url-status=dead}}

In addition to the Stetson and Mars Hill projects, First Wind completed a 60 MW wind farm, with forty 1.5-MW turbines, on Rollins Mountain ({{coord|45.38724|-68.36371 |format=dms |region:US-ME |name=Rollins Mountain}}) and other hills in the Penobscot County towns of Lincoln, Burlington, Lee, and Winn.{{cite news

| url= http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=2579

| archive-url= https://archive.today/20130415224743/http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=2579

| url-status= dead

| archive-date= April 15, 2013

| title= Lincoln Announces Wind Farm Hearing

| last= Sambides

| first= Nick Jr.

| date= 2008-08-15

| work= Bangor Daily News

| access-date= 2008-09-04

}}{{cite web

| url= http://www.lincolnmainewind.com/

| title= Rollins Wind – The Lincoln Maine Wind Project

| last= Pater

| first= Joe

| access-date= 2008-09-04

| archive-date= 2008-09-28

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080928130830/http://www.lincolnmainewind.com/

| url-status= dead

}}

The estimated cost is US$130 million.{{cite web

| url= http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/bdn/40-turbine-wind-project-under-way,156415

| title= 40-turbine wind project under way

| last= Sambides

| first= Nick Jr.

| date= 2010-10-17

| work= Bangor Daily News

| access-date= 2010-10-20

}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} First Wind was bought by SunEdison and TerraForm Power in November 2014.

Record Hill Wind is a 50.6 MW wind project in Roxbury, consisting of 22 turbines arrayed along a four mile long north-south ridgeline connecting Record Hill, Flathead Mountain ({{coord|44.661|-70.628 |format=dms |region:US-ME |name=Flathead Mountain, Record Hill Wind}}), and Partridge Peak. The electrical output of the project is estimated to be approximately 160 million kW·h (18 MW·yr) per year.{{cite web|url=http://recordhillwind.com/|title=Project Overview|publisher=Record Hill Wind|access-date=2009-05-09}}

A 34.2 MW wind project on Bull Hill ({{coord|44.72616|-68.16963 |format=dms |region:US-ME |name=Bull Hill}}) and adjoining hills in Maine Township 16 MD was built by First Wind and put online October 31, 2012.

The $78.5 million project consists of 19 Vestas V100-1.8MW wind turbines.{{cite web |title=Bull Hill Final Permit |url=https://www.maine.gov/dacf/lupc/projects/windpower/firstwind/blue_sky_east_bullhill/DP4886/Permit/BHWP_4866_FinalPermit.pdf |website=State of Maine |access-date=31 January 2019}}

First Wind was bought by SunEdison and TerraForm Power in November 2014.

The Oakfield wind project at 148 MW was completed in 2015. The project is located near Oakfield ({{coord|46.10|-68.15 |format=dms |region:US-ME |name=Oakfield, Maine}}) and uses 48 Vestas wind turbines.{{cite news|url=http://www.power-technology.com/projects/oakfield-wind-project-maine/|title=Oakfield Wind Project|work=Power Technology|publisher=Kable Intelligence Ltd.|access-date=2016-01-01}}Electric Power Monthly, December 2015. U.S. Energy Information Administration

The Saddleback Ridge wind project is a 34.2 megawatt, 12-turbine wind project located in Carthage, Maine.({{coord|44.605755|-70.375844 |format=dms |region:US-ME |name=Carthage, Maine}}) It uses GE's 2.85 MW wind turbines and was developed by Patriot Renewables.

The Passadumkeag Windpark is located on Passadumkeag Mountain near Burlington, ME ({{coord|45.132037|-68.358513 |format=dms |region:US-ME |name=Burlington, Maine}}). It consists of 13 Vestas V112 3.0 series wind turbines with a rated capacity of 3.3 MW.{{Cite web|url=http://www.quantumug.net/passadumkeag/|title=Passadumkeag|website=Quantum Utility Generation}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vestas.com/en/media/~/media/a350be1f23ff407faf1a0191ff431222.ashx|title=Vestas receives 40 MW order in U.S. state of Maine|date=26 March 2015|website=Vestas|access-date=May 13, 2017|archive-date=24 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324165940/https://www.vestas.com/en/media/~/media/a350be1f23ff407faf1a0191ff431222.ashx|url-status=dead}}

The Hancock Wind project is a project developed by Novatus Energy which consists of 17 Vestas V117 3.0 MW turbines.{{Cite web|url=http://www.novatusenergy.com/wind-project/hancock-wind-project/|title=Hancock Wind Project|website=Novatus Energy|access-date=May 14, 2017}} The project is located in Franklin Maine ({{coord|44.764733|-68.120521 |format=dms |region:US-ME |name=Franklin, Maine}}). Hancock Wind currently has the tallest onshore wind turbines in the United States.{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=David |title=These huge new wind turbines are a marvel. They're also the future. |url=https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/3/8/17084158/wind-turbine-power-energy-blades |access-date=21 May 2019 |work=Vox |date=8 March 2018}}

The Bingham Wind Farm was developed by Novatus Energy and is located near Kingsbury Plantation, Maine ({{coord|45.132707|-69.691472 |format=dms |region:US-ME |name=Franklin, Maine}}) and consists of 56 Vestas V112 3.3 MW turbines.{{Cite web|url=http://www.novatusenergy.com/wind-project/bingham-wind-project/|title=Bingham Wind Project|website=Novatus Energy|access-date=May 14, 2017}}

Pisgah Mountain wind farm is owned by Pisgah Mountain LLC and operates five Vestas V90-1.8 MW wind turbines in Clifton Maine ({{coord|44.775151|-68.522281 |format=dms |region:US-ME |name=Clifton, Maine}}). Seven local owners own 51% of Pisgah Mountain LLC and the remaining 49% is owned by SWEB Development USA a subsidiary of WEB Windenergie.{{Cite web|url=https://bangordailynews.com/2016/03/14/business/clifton-wind-farm-owners-enter-partnership-with-canadian-energy-firm/|title=Clifton wind farm owners enter partnership with Canadian energy firm|last=Ricker|first=Nok-Noi|date=March 14, 2016|website=Bangor Daily News|access-date=May 14, 2017}}

The Canton Mountain Wind Project consists of eight GE 2.85 megawatt wind turbines with 103 meter rotors on 85 meter towers. It was developed by Patriot Renewables, it is located in Canton Maine ({{Coord|44.517242|-70.302412|format=dms}}), and went online in November, 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.patriotrenewables.com/CantonMountain.html|title=Canton Mountain Wind Project|website=Patriot Renewables|access-date=May 14, 2017|archive-date=May 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521135749/http://www.patriotrenewables.com/CantonMountain.html|url-status=dead}}

File:Maine Offshore 90-Meter Wind Map and Wind Resource Potential.jpg

Offshore wind energy represents Maine's largest untapped natural energy resource, rated at 156 GW.{{Cite news|url=https://composites.umaine.edu/offshorewind/|title=Floating Offshore Wind In Maine – Advanced Structures & Composites Center – University of Maine|access-date=2017-02-21|language=en-US|newspaper=Advanced Structures & Composites Center|archive-date=2017-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222112312/https://composites.umaine.edu/offshorewind/|url-status=dead}} The University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center has led efforts to develop this resource with its patented floating wind turbine technology, VolturnUS.

In 2008, as a result of the Maine Ocean Energy Task Force, Maine established a renewable ocean energy goal, including the installation of 5 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030.{{Cite book|title=Final Report of the Ocean Energy Task Force to Governor John E. Baldacci|publisher=State of Maine|year=2009|url=https://umaine.edu/offshorewindtestsite/wp-content/uploads/sites/303/2017/02/OETF_FinalReportAppendices.pdf|via=University of Maine}}

North America’s first offshore wind turbine was deployed in 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://www.energy.gov/articles/maine-project-launches-first-grid-connected-offshore-wind-turbine-us|title=Maine Project Launches First Grid-Connected Offshore Wind Turbine in the U.S.|website=Energy.gov}} The VolturnUS is a floating concrete hull design that can support a wind turbine in waters 45 meters deep or more. In 2013 a 1:8th scale VolturnUS hull with a {{convert|65|ft}} tall turbine was towed into Penobscot Bay near Castine, Maine where it was connected to the grid and tested for 18 months.{{Cite web|url=https://composites.umaine.edu/research/volturnus/|title=University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center|website=University of Maine {{!}} VolturnUS|access-date=May 14, 2017}} Following the successful deployment of the VolturnUS [http://maineaquaventus.com Maine Aqua Ventus 1], GP, LLC, is leading a demonstration project off Monhegan Island, ME called New England Aqua Ventus I using the same floating hull and turbine technology.{{Cite web|url=http://maineaquaventus.com/index.php/the-project/|title=New England Aqua Ventus I|website=Maine Aqua Ventus|date=14 March 2017|access-date=May 14, 2017}}

File:Maine Electricity Generation Sources Pie Chart.svg

New England Aqua Ventus I is an up to 12 MW floating offshore wind pilot project that will be anchored off Monhegan Island at the UMaine Deepwater Offshore Wind Test Site in Lincoln County. It will use a single 9.5 MW turbine mounted on the VolturnUS floating concrete hull. It is intended to demonstrate the potential for floating wind power on the New England coast. Project participants include the Cianbro Corporation and the University of Maine.

In June 2019, Maine Governor Janet Mills signed into law LD 994, sponsored by state Sen. David Woodsome, directing the Maine Public Utilities Commission to approve a 20-year, long-term power purchase contract. That contract was unanimously approved by the Maine PUC on November 5, 2019, and signed by Central Maine Power (CMP) on December 20, 2019.

New England Aqua Ventus I is anticipated to be the first commercial-scale floating wind project in the United States.

The King Pine wind farm is planned to provide 1000 MW of power in Aroostook County. It is projected to begin construction in 2026 and will double Maine's wind power capacity, producing the equivalent of 27% of Maine's electric usage. Its developer Longwood Energy projects a cost of $2 billion. A new 345 kV tramission line will connect it to the ISO New England grid, and 40% of electricity will be purchased by utilities in Massachusetts.{{Cite web |title=Maine PUC OKs 1-GW Longroad wind farm, LS Power transmission line amid equity and cost concerns |url=https://www.utilitydive.com/news/maine-puc-longroad-wind-farm-ls-power-transmission-line/641699/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Utility Dive |language=en-US}}

{{See also|List of power stations in Maine#Wind}}

File:Spruce Mt Wind in Fall.jpg

File:Public Opinion Wind Farm Redington Mountain.jpg

In 2005, Maine Mountain Power (MMP) filed an application with the Maine Land Use Regulation Committee (LURC) for a permit to develop a 30-turbine wind farm on Mount Redington ({{coord|45|1.50|N|70|23.32|W |type:mountain_region:US-ME |name=Mount Redington}}) and neighboring Black Nubble ({{coord|45|1.92|N|70|26.83|W |type:mountain_region:US |name=Black Nubble}}).

{{cite web

| url= http://www.mainemountainpower.com/GetFacts.html

| title= Get The Facts

| year= 2006

| publisher= Maine Mountain Power

| access-date= 2008-08-28

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080706130433/http://mainemountainpower.com/GetFacts.html

| archive-date= 2008-07-06

| url-status= dead

}}

After years of contentious debate, the proposal was voted down by the LURC in 2007. The summit of Redington was seen as too ecologically sensitive — a sub-alpine fir habitat providing a home for two rare species, the bog lemming and Bicknell's thrush. Also, the development would have been visible for miles along the Appalachian Trail (AT).

{{cite news | url= http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/4077881.html | title= Black Nubble wind project supporters line up | last= Crowell | first= Alan | date= 2007-07-11 | work= Kennebec Journal | access-date= 2008-08-28 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080511170002/http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/4077881.html | archive-date= 2008-05-11 | url-status= dead }}

{{cite web

| url= http://www.maine.gov/doc/lurc/projects/redington/Click_to_Start.htm

| title= Maine Mountain Power Redington Wind Farm Application for Development

| publisher= Maine LURC

| access-date= 2008-08-28 }}

{{cite news | url= http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/viewpoints/editorials/060729wind.shtml | title= Redington wind farm a step toward Maine's energy future | date= 2006-07-29 | work= Portland Press Herald | access-date= 2008-08-28 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

A revised proposal, for 18 turbines only on Black Nubble, was put forward by MMP, supported by many environmental groups,

{{cite web

| url= http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=1682

| title= Support Builds for Black Nubble Wind Farm

| date= 2007-07-10

| publisher= Natural Resources Council of Maine

| access-date= 2008-08-28

| archive-url= https://archive.today/20130415113134/http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=1682

| archive-date= 2013-04-15

| url-status= dead

}}

but still opposed by Maine Audubon.

{{cite news

| url= http://www.maineaudubon.org/act/2007_blacknubble.shtml

| title= Will you help Maine Audubon fight an uphill battle for wildlife-friendly wind power in Maine?

| publisher= Maine Audubon

| access-date= 2008-08-28

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080703230334/http://www.maineaudubon.org/act/2007_blacknubble.shtml

| archive-date= 2008-07-03

| url-status= dead

}}

The project was rejected by the LURC in 2008.

{{cite news | url= http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/4657191.html | title= Wind project rulings issued: Panel OKs Kibby, rejects Black Nubble | date= 2008-01-15 | work= Morning Sentinel | access-date= 2008-08-28 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

First Wind proposed an installation on Black Mountain ({{coord|44.5840|-70.6376 |format=dms |region:US-ME |name=Black Mountain}}) in Rumford.

The Longfellow project would have 16 turbines that could produce 40 MW of electricity, enough to power about 17,000 homes in the Northeast. The power would be sold to the New England power grid. The wind turbines would have been built on the west side of the mountain, away from the Black Mountain ski area.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}} The developer placed the project on hold due to the strength of wind gusts in the area.{{Cite web|url=http://albertfrick.com/wind-energy-projects|title=Wind Energy Projects|website=albertfrick.com}}

In April 2012, Statoil, a Norwegian multinational oil and gas company, received state regulatory approval to build a large four-unit demonstration floating wind farm off the coast of Maine called Hywind 2.{{cite news|url=http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2012/04/30/statoil-to-demonstrate-floating-offshore-wind-turbines-in-the-us/|title=Statoil to demonstrate floating offshore wind turbines in the US|last=Hampton|first=Stuart|date=30 April 2012|publisher=Hoovers|quote=Statoil has secured the support of government officials in Maine to develop a demonstration wind park in the US with four full-scale offshore wind turbines.|access-date=2012-05-20|newspaper=Bizmology}}

Statoil proposed building a 4-tower, 12–15 MW wind farm developed by Statoil North America for placement {{convert|20|km}} off the east coast of Maine in {{convert|140|-|158|m}}-deep water of the Atlantic Ocean. Like the first Hywind installation off Norway, the proposed turbine foundation was a spar buoy.{{cite web |last1=Fowler |first1=Matthew |last2=Bull |first2=Diana |last3=Goupee |first3=Andrew |title=A Comparison of Platform Options for Deep-water Floating Offshore Vertical Axis Wind Turbines: An Initial Study |url=https://prod-ng.sandia.gov/techlib-noauth/access-control.cgi/2014/1416800.pdf |website=Sandia National Laboratory |access-date=8 February 2019}}{{cite news|url=http://www.pressherald.com/news/PUC-approves-maine-statoil-wind-turbine-offshore-deepwater.html?pagenum=full|title=Pioneering Maine wind project passes 'biggest hurdle'|date=2013-01-25|access-date=2013-08-02|newspaper=Portland Press Herald}}

The State of Maine Public Utility Commission voted to approve the construction and fund the US$120 million project by adding approximately 75 cents/month to the average retail electricity consumer. Power would have been flowing into the grid no earlier than 2016.

Statoil placed Hywind 2 on hold in July 2013 as a result of new legislation ([http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280048788 LD 1472]) by the State of Maine. The legislation required the Maine Public Utilities Commission to undertake a second round of bidding with a different set of ground rules; that led Statoil to suspend the project due to increased uncertainty and risk.{{cite news|url=http://www.offshorewind.biz/2013/07/05/usa-statoil-freezes-hywind-maine-project/|title=USA: Statoil Freezes Hywind Maine Project|date=2013-07-05|access-date=2013-08-02|newspaper=OffshoreWind.biz}} Statoil ultimately abandoned the Hywind 2 project in Maine and developed Hywind Scotland instead.{{Cite news|url=http://www.pressherald.com/2015/11/22/spurned-in-maine-wind-farm-to-float-in-scotland/|title=Spurned in Maine, wind farm to float in Scotland|last=Turkel|first=Tux|date=November 22, 2015|work=Portland Press Herald}}

A statewide poll in Spring 2007 by the Pan Atlantic SMS Group showed that 85% of Maine people supported wind power development.{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcm.org/climate/clean-energy/poll-shows-overwhelming-support-for-wind-power/ |title=Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Wind Power |date=November 13, 2009 |work=NRCM }}

A 2009 poll conducted by Portland-based Critical Insights shows that 90% of Maine people support the development of wind power as a source of electricity. Nearly nine in ten Mainers agree that "wind power can improve energy security and reduce Maine’s dependence on fossil fuels, and eight in ten agree that wind power will produce jobs and other forms of economic benefits".

In a 2010 statewide telephone poll of 500 registered voters, 88 percent supported wind power in Maine. Calls to residents in seven rural counties, from Aroostook to Oxford, where most wind power projects are built or planned, showed 83 percent support. Survey results show that Maine residents strongly support wind power development, chiefly because it cuts dependence on fossil fuels and creates jobs. The survey was done by Portland-based Pan Atlantic SMS Group for the Maine Renewable Energy Association.{{cite web |url=http://www.pressherald.com/news/mainers-full-of-gusto-for-wind-power-survey-finds_2010-06-29.html |title=Mainers full of gusto for wind power, survey finds |author=Tux Turkel |date=June 29, 2010 |work=Portland Press Herald }}

Some community opposition has arisen, in the form of litigation against mountain wind farms and an ocean wind turbine proposal, as civic activism, and as development of municipal ordinances.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/Penobscot/Friends-of-Lincoln-Lakes-renews-legal-challenge-to-wind-project,155022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718133901/http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/Penobscot/Friends-of-Lincoln-Lakes-renews-legal-challenge-to-wind-project,155022|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 18, 2012|title=Bangor News: Group renews legal challenge to Rollins Mountain Wind}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.penbay.org/monhegan/court/briefs/huber_v_bpl_responsebrief_asst_ag_090710/monh_brief_mills_09071002a.html|title=monh_brief_mills_09071002a|website=www.penbay.org}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.windtaskforce.org/profiles/blogs/friends-of-ragged-mountain|title=Friends of Ragged Mountain|access-date=2010-10-08|archive-date=2011-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919100400/http://www.windtaskforce.org/profiles/blogs/friends-of-ragged-mountain|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.dixmontwind.org/ |title=Dixmont Wind Ordinance |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-date=2010-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107023947/http://www.dixmontwind.org/ |url-status=usurped }}

{{Clear}}

• Solar power in Maine
• Wind power in the United States
• Renewable energy in the United States
• Ocean Renewable Power Company
• UMaine Deepwater Offshore Wind Test Site

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.maine.gov/energy/wind-energy-advisory-commission.html Maine Wind Energy Advisory Commission] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109011904/https://www.maine.gov/energy/wind-energy-advisory-commission.html |date=2019-01-09 }}
• [http://www.maine.gov/energy/pdf/Binder1.pdf Maine Wind Energy Development Assessment – 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223110347/https://www1.maine.gov/energy/pdf/Binder1.pdf |date=2017-02-23 }}
• [https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/state/ U.S. Energy Information Administration Data]
• [http://www.patriotrenewables.com Patriot Renewables]
• [http://www.foxislands.net Fox Islands Electric Cooperative]
• [http://www.recordhillwind.com/about-us Record Hill Wind] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306042811/http://recordhillwind.com/about-us |date=2019-03-06 }}
• [https://composites.umaine.edu/research/volturnus/ University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center – VolturnUS]
• [https://composites.umaine.edu/offshorewind/ University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center – Offshore Wind] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222112312/https://composites.umaine.edu/offshorewind/ |date=2017-02-22 }}
• [http://maineaquaventus.com Maine Aqua Ventus]

{{Wind power in the United States}}

{{Energy in the USA}}

{{Portalbar|Wind power|Renewable energy|Energy|United States}}