First Wind, an independent renewable energy company, yesterday held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of its solar project in Warren.
The 14 megawatt (AC) Worcester County-based project is the second largest solar project in Massachusetts. First Wind previously completed a 3 megawatt (AC) project Millbury.
"As Massachusetts leads the way in bringing clean energy to homes and business across the commonwealth, we are thrilled to have partners like First Wind provide a financial boost and local benefits to the area," Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett said in a statement. "With this project, First Wind is contributing to our sustainable future and helping to reach Gov. Deval Patrick’s goal of 1,600 megawatts installed by 2020."
Construction of First Wind’s three sites in Warren began in the fall of 2013 after a long-term power purchase agreement was finalized with the University of Massachusetts (UMass). As part of the agreement, the UMass Lowell campus and UMass Medical School in Worcester will receive a portion of the financial benefit resulting from the Warren projects. First Wind will also make annual tax payments of $50,000 to the town of Millbury and $130,000 annually in tax payments to the town of Warren.
Borrego Solar Systems Inc. led construction of both the Warren and Millbury projects, which created roughly 85 construction-related jobs. Both projects represent a significant investment in the surrounding communities and local economies, along with millions of dollars in construction, materials and development costs.
"We are very pleased to complete work on our Warren Solar project, which represents our second solar project to achieve successful commercial operations," Paul Gaynor, CEO of First Wind, said in a statement. "Not only are we contributing to the state’s aggressive energy goals, but we are also able to directly benefit the surrounding communities with financial and clean energy advantages. Massachusetts is a national leader in embracing renewable energy, and it is a testament to our partners and leaders throughout the commonwealth that our first solar endeavor has achieved success here in our home state."
The Warren and Millbury projects are the first solar projects that are part of the First Wind Solar Group, which was formed to explore potential development opportunities across the company’s current footprint in the Northeast, the West and Hawaii. First Wind Solar Group is also developing a solar project in Mililani, Hawaii, and multiple projects in Utah through agreements with Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp.
