A few of the turbines which are now operational atop Kibby Mountain north of Eustis. (David Hart photo) KIBBY TOWNSHIP –- In celebratory fashion, TransCanada hosted a festive day on Friday, Oct. 16 in recognition of commissioning 22 wind turbines atop Kibby Mountain.

Over 200 were in attendance including contractors, local and statewide supporters, political leaders and others associated with the project.

The event marked the near end of one of two phases of construction and an announcement made that afternoon indicated that there might be an additional phase should it be passed by state and federal regulators.

The current project, which was approved by the Land Use regulation Commission, will be completed next summer with 44 three-megawatt Vesta wind turbines, transmission lines, roads and structures which can add 132 megawatts to the New England Power Grid. Once complete the farm will be Maine’s largest wind generator.

Over 200 people came to celebrate and pose for a group photo as the Kibby Wind Power Project has now entered the New England Power Grid by commissioning 22 of its 44 wind turbines. (David Hart photo) That’s enough electricity for the equivalent of 50,000 residential homes. According to company officials, that’s more homes than there are in Franklin, Somerset and Oxford counties.

Charter busses picked up guests at Sugarloaf and brought them northbound along Route 27 north of Eustis. The buses then turned on to the Gold Brook Road for nearly eight miles to the height of land where the turbines were spinning atop snow covered peaks on a cool autumn day.

Lunch was provided by Boston Concessions in a grand heated tent while music was performed by the MSAD #58 steel drum band.

Governor John E. Baldacci joined TransCanada officials to celebrate the occasion.

Governor John E. Baldacci takes the time to have a laugh with Kingfield resident Mamie McCall after a grand opening during the mark of the start of TransCanada’s electric generation. (David Hart photo) “This is an exciting step for Maine,” Baldacci explained. “Already, the Kibby wind project has spent $78 million right here in the state on material, labor and other services.”

The Governor told the crowd that more than $6 million has been spent right here in Franklin County and that more the 300 construction jobs had been supported. Eight full-time positions were also created for maintenance and operation of the turbines, he explained. Most of which are residents of Franklin County.

Of significant interest, the company expressed its desire to see an expansion of the project.

The company is seeking approval of an additional 15 turbines to be in- stalled on Sisk Mountain, which is adjacent to the Kibby project in a westerly direction and will add an additional 45 megawatts of output to the new 27 miles of now completed transmission line. It will use already mobilized construction equipment and add a third season of construction benefits. This includes the use of local contractors such as Jordan Ventures, Haley and Riverside Construction as examples, including the use of local hotels, motels and benefits to local retail and food services.

“We would like to extend this great relationship we have with the area and the contractors and the community,” said company spokesman, Tony Goulet.

Some of the proposed turbines included in the expansion fall within the Governor’s Wind Task Force geographic area deemed as an expedited area for wind development. These “expedited” areas shorten the permit process by approximately one year.

In August of this year, LURC approved the installation of a meteorological tower and TransCanada hopes to have full approval by next spring, Goulet explained.

In June of 2009, the company filed an application to expand the expedited area with LURC. A meeting of LURC to expand that boundary or deny that request has not yet been scheduled.

“We hope to begin construction and become operational by the end of 2011,” said Goulet. The $100 million expansion would make the wind farm the largest in New England.

“When added to the 50,000 household equivalent by the initial Kibby project, the total electricity generated would be enough to power nearly every resident in Bangor, Augusta, Lewiston, and Portland, according to the 2000 Census,” reads a TransCanada project brochure explaining the expansion.

The Governor recognized many of the contractors involved in the project. “We have the best work force,” Baldacci explained. “These companies know that if we can create a level playing field, we have the work force that can bring in the work and look to get it done on time and under budget and create the highest quality behind their work to bring in more work. We are very lucky and I’d like to thank all these workers that are here because you make Maine the great state that it is.”

Baldacci also credited other projects in the State including new development in technological research in offshore wind development that is being conducted in places such as the University of Maine.

The Governor said the Kibby project solidifies Maine’s reputation as the leader in wind power generation in New England. “This project represents a great step forward in Maine as we move aggressively to end our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels and to create jobs by building our renewable energy sector right here in Maine.”