Horizon Wind opens Presque Isle office

PRESQUE ISLE – A Texas company that is hoping to establish several wind farms in some parts of northern Maine officially made its presence known in Aroostook County on Thursday by opening an office in Presque Isle.

Officials from Horizon Wind Energy joined local Chamber of Commerce and economic development officials and Gov. John Baldacci to cut the ribbon at the new office at 34 North St. The facility, which still smelled of fresh paint Thursday afternoon, will house employees who will be charged with overseeing all of Horizon’s future projects in Aroostook County.

Baldacci noted that the windswept day was perfect for the office’s official opening.

Horizon Wind Energy initially is looking to construct approximately 150 turbines in forested areas in the Unorganized Territory west of Bridgewater, according to Justin Dawe, project manager for the company. The turbines will generate 300 megawatts of pollution-free energy when operating at full capacity, said Dawe.

Planning is still in the preliminary stages and it will be several years before Horizon’s wind projects commence in Aroostook.

“We also are working on several other projects,” Dawe said. “We eventually hope to generate up to 800 megawatts of energy.”

The state of Maine uses 2,200 megawatts of power during peak demand in summer months.

The company hopes to begin construction on the first wind project by 2010. The company wants to connect to the New England power grid and will sell wholesale power to “whoever wants to buy it,” said Dawe.

“This is huge for Aroostook County and the state, and we are going to see more and more of this happening,” Baldacci said during the ceremony. “I am very excited about this, especially with the cost of energy going up and up and up.”

Based in Houston, Texas, Horizon produces more than 1,300 megawatts at operating wind farms. It is developing plans for more than 10,500 megawatts in about 15 states, more than enough to provide energy to 2.5 million homes in the United States. Horizon is owned by EDP Renovaveis, a renewable-energy company that designs, develops, manages and operates power plants that generate electricity using renewable-energy sources, mainly wind.

Aroostook County is home to Maine’s only sizable wind farm, a 28-turbine facility in Mars Hill operated by UPC Wind. State regulators have also granted permits for a 38-turbine wind farm currently under construction on Stetson Mountain in northern Washington County and a 44-turbine farm on Kibby Mountain in western Maine.

Gabriel Alonso, chief development officer for Horizon Wind Energy, said the company has met with local landowners and County officials and begun analyzing The County’s wind speed and directional data, which are crucial to the design and development of wind farms.

The company also has consulted with the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission, Department of Environment Protection and federal regulators.

Alonso said he was happy to see the Presque Isle office open.

“This is a small office and a small step towards what we believe is going to be a big achievement,” he said.

Dawe estimated that the first project has the potential to create up to 50 new jobs in Aroostook County.

jlbdn@ainop.com

532-9257