Mars Hill wind farm celebrates a year of clean power (Maine)

[jpak]

http://bangornews.com/news/t/aroostook.aspx?articleid=162117&zoneid=175

MARS HILL, Maine — State officials touted Maine’s capacity to become a major producer of pollution-free wind power on Tuesday during a ceremony marking the first anniversary of electricity production at the Mars Hill wind farm.

The Aroostook County facility has produced an estimated 133.5 million kilowatt-hours of power since beginning commercial operation in late March 2007. That is roughly the equivalent annual electricity demand of more than 19,000 New England homes.

Standing at the base of the slopes of Big Rock Ski Area, Gov. John Baldacci praised the Mars Hill wind farm and its developer, UPC Wind. Baldacci said wind power should play a central role in Maine’s goal of moving away from foreign oil and toward more homegrown energy solutions.

"This is just the start," Baldacci said. "It’s time to tap into Maine’s natural resources to give us a cleaner and greener source of energy. … We have the natural resources and the geography to become energy-independent."

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edit: it had a 37% capacity factor....