Iberdrola Renewables has filed a potential 25-year contract to supply Vermont's largest utility, Green Mountain Power (GMP), with wind energy from the permitted Deerfield Wind Farm. Under the contract, which was submitted to the Vermont Public Service Board for review, GMP would purchase 30 MW from the wind farm.
According to Iberdrola, the Deerfield project would be built in Readsboro and Searsburg, near the existing Searsburg wind project. The project would include a total of 15 wind turbines – eight in Searsburg and seven in Readsboro.
The towns combined would receive more than $400,000 in direct annual payments, totaling approximately $7.8 million during the life of the proposed power agreement. Additionally, the project would generate an estimated $300,000 in direct tax payments per year for the state of Vermont, adding up to more than $6 million over 20 years.
‘Today's filing represents a key milestone in moving forward with the Deerfield wind project, and it is good news for Vermonters who support renewable energy and for ratepayers who want competitively priced power,’ says Gov. Peter Shumlin. Although most of Vermont's wind projects have been located in the Northeast Kingdom, I am encouraged that through the Deerfield project, Southern Vermont will be contributing to our fight against climate change.’
Pending reviews by various Vermont state agencies, the Deerfield project could begin construction in 2016.
