Marblehead Municipal Light Department (MMLD) is entering into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with two Maine onshore wind projects.
The PPA is being facilitated through MMLD’s joint action agency, the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC). MMWEC’s Board of Directors has authorized the organization to proceed with executing contracts for the wind energy and associated renewable energy credits (RECs).
Under the PPA, MMLD will contract for energy and the associated RECs from Stetson Wind I and II, located in Danforth, Washington County, Maine. Stetson Wind I is a 38-turbine, 57-megawatt (MW) project that reached commercial operation in 2009. Stetson Wind II is a 17-turbine, 25.5 MW project that reached commercial operation in 2010. The projects are owned and operated by TerraForm Power. MMLD will contract for 1,764 Megawatt hours (MWh) per year for five years, beginning in January 2026.
The other municipal light plants participating in PPAs for Stetson Wind output through MMWEC include the MLPs located in the communities of Boylston, Groton, Holyoke, Ipswich, Peabody, Princeton, Shrewsbury, Sterling, Templeton, Wakefield and West Boylston. In total, the 12 MLPs will contract for approximately 12 MW/42,196 megawatt hours (MWh) of capacity from Stetson Wind I and II. MMWEC’s offtake represents 18.6% of Stetson I and 20% of Stetson II.
The agreement provides participating MLPs with unit-specific wind power and the associated unit-specific Class I renewable energy credits. The Stetson projects are strong inland wind resources, operating at a capacity factor of approximately 40%.
“Through our partnership with MMWEC, MMLD is able to leverage greater buying power in contracts like this one with Stetson Wind, which is a critical component of our strategy to provide reliable, affordable power for our customers,” said Jon Blair, General Manager of MMLD.
About MMLD
Marblehead Municipal Light Department (MMLD) is a public electric utility serving the community of Marblehead, Massachusetts since 1894. With over 10,000 customers, the mission of MMLD is to provide reliable, low-carbon power while maintaining competitive rates and a safe, productive working environment.
About MMWEC
MMWEC is a not-for-profit, public corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts created by an Act of the General Court in 1975 and authorized to issue tax-exempt debt to finance a wide range of energy facilities. MMWEC provides a variety of power supply, financial, risk management and other services to the state’s consumer-owned, municipal utilities. It is the largest provider of asset-owned generation for municipal light departments in New England.
About TerraForm Power
TerraForm Power, a controlled affiliate of Brookfield Asset Management, is a leading owner, operator and producer of renewable energy in North America. The company’s portfolio contains 3,400 MW of utility-scale wind, solar, and battery storage facilities with operations in 23 U.S. states and Ontario, Canada. TerraForm Power’s high-quality diversified assets generate significant organic cash flow, and support repowering, co-location and hybridization opportunities within its broad existing footprint, as well as greenfield development. The company has a high-quality, approximately 6,000 MW renewable development pipeline and is well positioned to meet surging electricity demand. For more information, please visit: terraform.com.
