Make no mistake, state renewable portfolio standards (RPS) have been a key driver of the solar and windpower industries, along with federal tax incentives, and RPS policy will continue to push utility-scale development for years to come. Still, companies are preparing for the changes and challenges that lie ahead. Overall, 2013 was a year of…
First Wind announces its 2014 scholarship program
2014 First Wind Scholars program expands to up to 16 one-time scholarships of $3,000 and one renewable scholarship of $5,000 to high school seniors in host communities First Wind, an independent U.S.-based renewable energy company, says applications are now open and available online for its annual 2014 scholarship program. Entering its fifth full year, First…
First Wind helps Burlington Electric source 92% of its power from wind
First Wind, an independent U.S.-based renewable energy company, has announced that the company has reached an agreement with Burlington Electric Department (BED) to sell the utility power generated from the planned Hancock Wind project near Ellsworth, Maine. BED is seeking to source 100% of its supply needs from renewable energy. The addition of the…
First Wind uses Wind Iris Lidar to correct yaw error and improve energy production
First Wind, an independent U.S.-based renewable energy company, has purchased a Wind Iris Lidar to optimize the performance of its wind turbines. The decision resulted from a successful field trial that used data from the nacelle-mounted Lidar to correct yaw error and increase total energy production. First Wind wanted to improve the yaw alignment of…
Northeast Wind closes on $320 million term loan b and $75 million letter of credit facilities
First Wind, an independent U.S.-based renewable energy company, today announced that its joint venture with Emera, Northeast Wind, has issued a new corporate credit facility, consisting of a $320 million Term Loan B debt facility and a $75 million Letter of Credit facility. Pricing on the new term loan was set at LIBOR plus 400…
First Wind secures long-term contracts for 2 projects by Massachusetts RE request for proposals
The two Maine wind projects selected will provide more than 330 MW of cost-competitive energy to Massachusetts utilities and ratepayers. First Wind, an independent U.S.-based renewable energy company, has announced that through a competitive bidding process overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, two of its planned Maine wind power projects have been selected…
FirstWind pauses to reflect on 150,000 MWh from one project
First Wind, an independent U.S.-based renewable energy company, and Avista commemorated the generation of 150,000 MWh by the Palouse Wind project since its start of commercial operations in December 2012. Since the Palouse Wind project went online, it has brought significant long-term tax revenue to Whitman County while generating enough clean energy to power…
Combining wind and solar with gas generation becoming a new trend
Editor’s note: This is a significant trend because wind farms and gas-powered generation together can provide the lowest cost electric power. Accurate wind forecasts of up to several days give gas powered utilities time to accommodate the variable delivery of wind, thereby reducing the uncertainty of its availability. The article, from law firm Chadbourne &…
PTC beginning to pay off – RE firm portfolio to grow by 50%
Editor’s note: The recently passed PTC extension has produced a flurry of announcements regarding new wind farm projects. This is one of many. A U.S.-based renewable energy company says it hopes to increase its operating portfolio of wind projects by 50% or more after the recent extension of the federal tax credits by Congress last…