The Town of Portsmouth Rhode Island officially dedicated its wind turbine generator at a ceremony held on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri spoke at the event that was held at the wind turbine generator site, 120 Education Lane in Portsmouth. The site is in the field above the high school tennis courts next to the gymnasium.

The 1.5 megawatt wind turbine (manufactured by AAER, USA of Providence, Rhode Island and AAER, CA of Quebec Canada) first started producing power to National Grid’s distribution system on March 18, 2009. The wind turbine is the first municipally-owned wind turbine in the State and used a loan from the State’s Renewable Energy Fund to complete the project. The project was conceived nearly five years ago by the Portsmouth Economic Development Committee to provide extra revenue for the town while supporting the State’s goal of increased use of renewable energy sources.
Master of Ceremonies, Gary Gump, who is also chair of the PEDC Sustainable Energy Subcommittee, that spearheaded the project, acknowledged the efforts of his subcommittee along with the entire PEDC, the Town Council, School Committee and School Department for their support.Town Council President, Peter McIntyre, acknowledged the hard work of the volunteers, but also congratulated the Town leadership and the citizens of the Town for their decision to approve the project. He noted positive National exposure that the Town has received as a result of the project and how the project supports the renewable energy goals of the Governor.

The Governor, in a release provided before the ceremony said, “I commend the Town of Portsmouth for its commitment to supporting cost-saving, creative, renewable energy solutions," Governor Carcieri said. “This project highlights the important role the state’s Renewable Energy Fund plays in supporting innovative municipal renewable energy projects occurring throughout the state. By investing in renewable energy, Rhode Island can not only create jobs and spur economic development, but we can also develop and utilize new cutting-edge technology. I encourage all our cities and towns to follow Portsmouth’s lead and embrace renewable energy programs.”

The $3 million project for the 1.5 megawatt turbine generator was approved by town voters in 2007 and is expected to produce enough energy to supply over 60 percent of the town’s electrical needs (schools, fire and police stations, street lights, etc.). Under RI’s new community net metering law, the power company will credit the town to offset some of the town’s electric bills. In addition, the Town will sell the energy’s environmental attributes (in the form of Renewable Energy Certificates, or “RECs”) to the green power provider, People’s Power & Light, for use in their product New England GreenStart. That means anyone in the community—or the state—can support the turbine by signing up for one of People's Power & Light’s green power programs, New England GreenStart or "New England Wind Fund". The power company credits and RECs together are expected to more that cover the annual cost of operation and debt service and return over $100,000 net positive revenue to the town the first year in operation. Since going on line on March 18, 2009, the wind turbine has generated over 500 mega-watts of power (about what is needed to power the Hathaway Elementary School for two years) and over $75,000 in revenue. The 366-foot wind turbine stands high above the second highest point on Aquidneck Island, long ago called “Windmill Hill.” It is a visible indication of Portsmouth’s commitment to “green” energy. Moreover, it will help achieve the State’s goal of having 15 percent of its energy produced by renewable resources by 2020.


. L to R Danny Mendelsohn, Guy Fortin, Governor Carcieri, David Gagnon, Peter McIntyre, Gary Gump


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