About Downeast Wind
Apex Clean Energy is developing Downeast Wind, a wind energy project located in rural Washington County, Maine. Downeast Wind has 126 MW of capacity and is expected to generate enough clean, homegrown Maine energy to power more than 37,000 homes per year.
Apex has worked closely with local landowners, residents, community leaders, state agencies, and other stakeholders to design and permit a project that fits well with the surrounding community and sustains the region’s agricultural heritage, specifically wild blueberry operations.
Learn more about Downeast Wind here
A Clean Economic Opportunity for Washington County that Helps Meet Maine’s Energy Goals
The State of Maine has set a bold course for 80% of its energy to come from renewable sources by 2030. Downeast Wind will help meet that challenge through homegrown renewable energy, reduced emissions, and direct economic benefits for participant landowners and host communities. Representing a private investment well in excess of $235 million, Downeast Wind will benefit Washington County residents through new job creation, local purchasing of materials and services, and an increased tax base for local governments.
Downeast Wind will also generate an entirely new source of long-term revenue for local governments, totaling close to $20 million, through locally approved tax-increment-financing (TIF) and community benefit agreements. This new revenue will support investments in public health, infrastructure, public safety, vocational education, small business grants, economic development, water quality, and environmental stewardship. Learn more about the local benefit agreements here.
Landowners with wind facilities on their property will receive annual lease payments. These payments continue over the projected 30-year lifespan of the wind farm, injecting close to $30 million dollars into Washington County’s economy to support local merchants, contractors, equipment suppliers, auto dealers, and others.
Land and Environmental Stewardship
Downeast Wind has worked with leading engineers and scientists as well as public officials, landowners, residents, and sportsmen to design a project that will make efficient use of the robust wind resource while sustaining existing land uses, maintaining and expanding habitats for native species, and avoiding, minimizing, or mitigating ecological impacts wherever possible. The project will upgrade, improve and maintain roadways to and through the project area, improving access for hunters and trail users; upgraded stream crossings will promote fish passage and healthy stormwater drainage.
Endorsement
Thank you to the Sunrise Economic Council for their support of Downeast Wind and its potential for the community.
