The purpose of this analysis is to evaluate the economic impacts and need for the wind turbine development proposed by UPC Vermont Wind, LLC (hereafter, UPC) in the towns of Sheffield and Sutton, in Caledonia County, Vermont. The project consists of the construction and operation of 26 wind turbines with a total nameplate electric generation capacity of 52 megawatts.
The total economic investment associated with this project is expected to exceed $90 million, concentrated in one of the more economically distressed regions of the State. The average net output of the facility is expected to be about 147,600 MWh per year, supplying enough energy to power more than 20,000 Vermont homes. Assuming the necessary permits and approvals are granted, the planned construction of the project is expected to occur in 2007, with full annual operation expected in 2008.