Wind turbine going up at Fishermen’s Memorial

NARRAGANSETT – Construction on a 117-foot wind turbine at Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground in Narragansett got under way this week.
Expected to be completed this fall, the 100-kilowatt turbine should supply half the electric needs for the campground, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management said this week.
“Talk about a win-win opportunity,” DEM Director Janet Coit said. “The electricity generated by this turbine will reduce by half the amount of electricity DEM buys from non-renewable sources for use at this popular campground – saving money and reducing carbon emissions. What’s more, we will provide a hands-on learning experience for children and adults.”
Manufactured by Northern Power Systems of Barre, Vt., the white turbine will be built on a single monopole tower within an enclosed maintenance compound. The DEM said that workers would situate the turbine in an upland area of the park away from the shoreline, homes, campsites and roadways.
DEM is paying for the $688,010 project though a combination of money from a legal settlement money, the federal stimulus and the state. A multi-state settlement agreement with American Electric Power Service for federal Clean Air Act violations provided $399,917; the federal stimulus will provide $150,594 and the R.I. Renewable Energy Fund $137,500.
The Fishermen’s project is one of three alternative energy projects under development by DEM. In May 2010, DEM unveiled a 10-kilowatt wind turbine at Salty Brine State Beach in Narragansett. A similar 10-kilowatt wind turbine is being constructed at East Matunuck State Beach in South Kingstown as part of a new beach pavilion scheduled to open next Memorial Day.