Maine selects company to build large wind farm, plus a transmission line, to send power south

Maine utility regulators have selected two companies to develop untapped wind power resources in the northern part of the state, part of an eagerly anticipated clean energy project supported by most New England states.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday selected Clearway Energy Group LLC to develop onshore wind turbines that can generate 800 megawatts of electricity in Aroostook County near the Canadian border.

Commissioners also chose the company Avangrid to develop a new high voltage power line to connect the proposed wind turbines to the New England regional electric grid.

With the Trump administration effectively hitting pause on offshore wind development, this land-based wind farm represents one of the only remaining opportunities to develop significant renewable energy resources in the region. The proposed wind farm would be the largest in Maine, which now has about 900 total megawatts of land-based wind generation.

Phil Bartlett, who leads the commission, said the project will save Maine electric customers at least $387 million over its lifetime.

"These transmission and generation projects will bring substantial economic benefits to the state, creating thousands of full-time jobs during construction and $2.4 billion in economic output," Bartlett said in a statement.

The transmission side of the project could also connect Aroostook County directly to the New England power system, a precursor to developing the area's substantial renewable energy resources, said Commissioner Patrick Scully.

"In my prior career, I saw up close the challenge of siting new energy projects in northern Maine, caused by the cost of building long transmission facilities to access the New England market, and the significant congestion on existing transmission infrastructure," Scully said.

Maine plans to buy 600 megawatts of power from the project, with the remainder being delivered to other New England states, according to spokesperson Susan Faloon.

Ratepayers in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Rhode Island will share the cost of building the transmission line with Maine.

In a statement, Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper praised the procurement results.

"Energy demand is rising, and we need more affordable power for resident and businesses. The selected transmission project will deliver clean, affordable energy throughout New England," she said. "Massachusetts is proud to be a part of this effort to increase energy supply and lower bills."

Further details of the proposed deal will be available after the commission finalizes a power purchase contract with Clearway, Faloon said.

Nick Benjamin, Clearway's northeastern development director, in an interview said the project is planned for commercial timberland in rural, unincorporated southeast Aroostook County.

Major site attributes include existing roads, proximity to electric transmission right of way and reliable wind speeds, Benjamin said.

"This project is going to keep energy costs stable for Maine families and business for decades to come, while bringing material economic investment to Northern Maine and meeting the state and region's grid needs," Benjamin added.

It will take years to permit and develop the project and building new generation is contingent on a new transmission line, according to the commission.

The Maine Legislature directed the Public Utilities Commission to develop wind generation and transmission in northern Maine in 2021. An earlier project fell through in late 2023 after negotiations over the power line failed.

Avangrid spokesperson Jon Breed, in a statement said a distinguishing feature of its proposal is its use of existing power corridors and rights of way that will reduce uncertainty and limit potential disruptions to the environment.

"While selection is an important milestone, extensive engineering, environmental review, permitting, and community engagement remains ahead," Breed said.

This is a production of the New England News Collaborative. It was originally published by Maine Public.