New Energy Project In the Wind On Vinalhaven

VINALHAVEN (NEWS CENTER) -- People who know say you have to be practical to live on an island. So when people on Vinalhaven and North Haven were asked if they wanted to build wind mills to lower their electric rates, it was a pretty easy decision.

Construction has started on three 1.5 megawatt wind turbines on the island of Vinalhaven. Power from those turbines will flow to all the homes and businesses on the two islands. The excess power will be sold to the regional electric grid. George baker, the CEO of Fox Island Wind LLC, says their research shows islanders should see a ten to twenty percent reduction in their electric bills.

The Cianbro Corporation started construction about two weeks ago, and crews are now blasting , crushing rock and building roads for the heavy trucks and cranes to erect the wind turbines. They expect to finish roads and foundations and other site work in July. Tower sections, turbines and wind blades will land on the island by barge in August. The pieces will be put together right away, and Cianbro CEO Peter Vigue says electricity should start flowing before Thanksgiving. It's a challenging project for the company, because the island is about twelve miles out at sea, with narrow roads, and there are lots of very large parts to haul there , move and put together. But Vigue says the company loves a challenge.