Introducing Downeast Wind 

Apex Clean Energy is exploring the feasibility of constructing Downeast Wind, a utility-scale wind energy project, in Washington County, Maine.

This website features information about wind energy, Downeast Wind, and important upcoming events. Please use this site to send us feedback, ask questions, and stay up to date on project news and developments.

About Downeast Wind

Downeast Wind is a utility-scale wind energy project, expected to generate 90 megawatts of clean, homegrown energy. Local wind monitoring confirms that the area under consideration is ideal for a project of this size, which will produce enough safe, pollution-free energy to power approximately 25,000 U.S. homes.

Located in rural Washington County, we expect construction to begin as soon as Summer 2020.

Learn more about Downeast Wind here

An Economic Opportunity for Washington County

Downeast Wind will create jobs and generate an entirely new source of long-term revenue for the project’s host communities and landowners. The total direct financial impact to the region is likely to exceed $172 million over about 30 years, with additional indirect economic benefits greatly exceeding that number.*

By developing Downeast Wind, Apex Clean Energy will be creating two new sources of revenues for the project’s host communities: property tax revenue and community benefit payments. The project’s wind turbines and other infrastructure will be built with private funds and will be subject to local property taxes. 

In addition to paying property taxes, the project must also provide “tangible benefits” to the local host communities. The tangible benefits package for the Downeast Wind project will need to be determined in conjunction with local host communities and other interested parties in the region, but we expect the tangible benefits package will likely include annual payments to local communities under a “community benefit agreement.” Payments made under a community benefit agreement can be used for any allowable public purpose.

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 millions of dollars into Washington County’s economy to support local merchants, contractors, equipment suppliers, auto dealers, and others.

The power from Downeast Wind will be sold directly to Maine utilities at a 12% discount to wholesale electricity prices at the time at which the electricity is produced.

*Direct financial impact includes estimated direct local spending, landowner payments, property taxes, and local employee salaries.

Endorsement 

Thank you to the Sunrise Economic Council for their support of Downeast Wind and its potential for the community.