Massachusetts’ largest wind power installation to date began operating in Princeton in December 2009. Two 1.5 MW Fuhrlander wind turbines were installed by the municipal utility in Princeton, MA, the Princeton Municipal Light Department in a partnership with the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company. The turbines are expected to produce about 40% of the Town’s electricity .
While there have been other 1.5 MW wind turbines installed in Massachusetts, Princeton’s is the first site to have more than one. A larger project in Western Massachusetts, undertaken by MMWEC and 14 municipal power authorities, has been held up in mid-construction by post-approval appeals from project opponents.
- Installation – November, 2009
- Total project cost – $7.3 million
- Turbines & Tower – $4.6 million
- Planning & Installation – $2.7 million
- Structured as Wind Energy Cooperative (enabled under 1997 MA law)
- 18-month construction financing to be replaced by 20-year funding upon completion of construction
Largest wind power installation to date in Massachusetts