Wind Farm Site In Western Maine Gets Key Equipment

By GLENN ADAMS

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The final sections of a crane that will erect 410-foot windmills began arriving at Kibby Mountain in western Maine, where New England's largest wind farm is scheduled to be completed next year.

Last September, Canadian energy company TransCanada Corp. began construction on the $320 million project that will power up to 50,000 single-family homes.

Kibby Mountain is set to be a 132-megawatt, 44-turbine project with towers exceeding 400 feet once the blades reach their peak.

That project, among others, is part of Gov. John Baldacci's goal to have 2,000 megawatts of wind power installed by 2015 and another 1,000 megawatts by 2020. Of that, 300 megawatts could come from offshore development.

On Tuesday, four tractor trailers began hauling the final parts of the nearly $4 million crane that, when assembled, will weigh 457 tons.

"It's a very important step. The project doesn't get built until this step is taken," said Jack Parker, president of Reed & Reed, contractor for the wind power project.