Antrim resurrects US plans

US outfit Antrim Wind Energy has reconfigured a ridge-top project in New Hampshire that was rejected by state regulators.

The proponent originally planned to install 10 Acciona Windpower 3MW turbines however it has switched to Siemens machines. The revamped 28.8MW Antrim project will employ nine SWT 3.2MW-113 direct drive units and Siemens will also handle turbine maintenance, according to regulatory filings.

The New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee in 2013 rejected the wind farm, due to concerns over aesthetic impacts. The new proposal includes lower sound and shadow flicker levels and reduced ground clearing and grading, said Antrim.

The developer proposes to interconnect the project to the grid via a Public Service of New Hampshire 115kV transmission line that runs through property leased by Antrim.

The proponent has selected Reed & Reed Inc. of Woolwich, Maine to construct the project.

Walden Green Energy of New York has acquired a majority interest in the project while initial New Hampshire developer Eolian Renewable Energy retains a minority stake. Walden is majority owned by RWE Principal Investments, the investment arm of German utility RWE.

Under a payment in lieu of taxes agreement with the Town of Antrim, the project will pay $11,250/MW of installed capacity per year, about $8.3m over the life of the deal.

Image: another onshore Antrim project (Eolian Renewable Energy)