DOE Approves Loan for 50.6 MW Wind Project
WASHINGTON — The Department of Energy finalized a $102 million loan guarantee to support Record Hill Wind, LLC to support a 50.6-megawatt wind power plant, an eight-mile transmission line, and associated interconnection equipment near the town of Roxbury, Maine.
The loan guarantee, distributed through the department’s Loan Programs office, is in conjunction with an investment by the Yale University Endowment, announced U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
The project will be developed and managed by New Hampshire-based Wagner Wind Energy I, LLC and Independence Wind, LLC and will provide sustainable power to the state while funding 200 construction jobs, according to the department.
“This innovative project creates jobs in Maine while boosting domestic wind generation in order to achieve the Administration’s goal of doubling clean energy produced in America by 2035,” Chu said. “Clean energy is a major driver of American competitiveness, and investments like these are essential to secure our position as global leader.”
The Record Hill wind project will consist of 22 turbines and new transmission lines to interconnect local utility Central Maine Power, officials said.
The turbines will be installed with a system of sensors and processing software, allowing the turbines to continue to generate electricity under turbulent conditions rather than shut down completely.
The technology, called Turbine Load Control, is also expected to reduce wear and tear on the turbines, reduce operation and management costs, and preserve the lifetime of the turbine components.