First Wind celebrated the fifth anniversary of successful commercial operations of its 57 MW Stetson I Wind project. Since it began commercial operations on January 23, 2009, the first phase of the Stetson Wind project has produced enough energy to power an average of 18,300 Maine homes annually over the last five years.

“As our largest operating wind project in Maine and New England, the Stetson Wind project has been very successful and an important part of our generation fleet. Since Stetson I went online in 2009, we have successfully expanded it and built three more projects in the state with several other projects in development,” said Paul Gaynor, CEO of First Wind. “We are proud of our track record in Maine and consider the communities where we operate as key partners. Over the last five years, the Stetson Wind project has generated a significant amount of clean energy that has benefited ratepayers throughout New England while reducing the region’s dependence on fossil fuels and furthering local economic development.”

After a successful expansion in 2010, the Stetson Wind project today has a combined generating capacity of 83 MW and remains one of the largest operational utility-scale wind farms in New England. Located in Maine’s Washington County, the two phases of the Stetson Wind project provide significant local revenue, including a total of US $4 million in tax payments that will continue to be made to the surrounding communities for the next 20 years.

Operation Highlights

• The renewable power generated has been supplying clean, renewable electricity to approximately 18,300 Maine homes in each year since the first phase of the project went online. When Stetson II is combined with the first phase of the project, the Stetson Wind project has a generating capacity of 83 MW. Combined, the two projects power more than 26,000 homes.

Environmental Benefits

• At Stetson I, based on data recently published by the U.S. EPA’s Emissions and Generation Resource Integrated Database (E-GRID), generating an equivalent amount of electric energy from a traditional fossil fuel burning facility would have required about 1.28 million barrels of oil or 369,000 tons of coal over the five year period, yet has none of the associated toxicity, health, or cost issues.

Economic and Community Benefits

• The two phases of the Stetson Wind project provide local revenue including a total of $4 million in tax payments to the surrounding communities over the next 20 years. The property tax revenues fund county infrastructure, conservation and economic development projects. Education, public activities and other supports are also sponsored by the fund.

In addition to the 83 MW Stetson Wind I and II projects, First Wind has three other operational wind projects in Maine including the 42 MW Mars Hill Wind project in Aroostook County, the 60 MW Rollins Wind project in Penobscot County, and the 34 MW Bull Hill Wind project in Hancock County. These five facilities have the capacity to generate 219 MW, enough to supply clean power for the equivalent of more than 95,000 households.

First Wind has invested $600 million in wind projects in Maine. Looking at future investments in the coming years, First Wind has long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) secured for four additional wind projects in development including the 51 MW Hancock Wind project in Hancock County, the 148 MW Oakfield Wind project in Aroostook County, the 48 MW Bowers Wind project in Penobscot and Washington Counties, and the 186 MW Bingham Wind project in Somerset County.