April 9, 2012
Massachusetts

Kingston’s Independence commissioning to be completed in May

By Kathryn Gallerani, Wicked Local Kingston, www.wickedlocal.com 9 April 2012

KINGSTON – The blades of the state’s first 2-megawatt wind turbine on a former town landfill will soon be turning. Just not as soon as thought.

Kially Ruiz, co-manager of Kingston Wind Independence LLC, the developer of the project, has announced that the startup and commissioning of the wind turbine Independence at Exit 8 off Route 3 will begin within the next few weeks and be completed in May.

“By replacing its electricity consumption with locally generated, 100 percent clean wind energy, Kingston will realize its goal of becoming the greenest community in Massachusetts,” Ruiz said in a press release Wednesday afternoon. “The Independence will offset emissions equivalent to 400 acres of forest removing carbon.”

The expected date for commercial operations now is May 15. Two weeks ago Ruiz said Independence would be operational about April 15. “Operational” means the blades will be spinning and energy will be sent to the power grid through NStar’s local distribution system.

A team of technicians from turbine builder Hyundai completed repairs to a .04-inch thick crack in one of the blades of the wind turbine March 31. Described as a minor cosmetic repair, the crack was detected in January during installation.

As the developer, Kingston Wind Independence is responsible for the installation and operation of the turbine. The town has lease and power purchase agreements with the company and will receive annual lease payments that will be invested to further clean energy programs for Kingston residents.

Ruiz expressed thanks to the town, town officials and residents, and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for their support.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/09/kingstons-independence-commissioning-to-be-completed-in-may/