New Hampshire's first commercial scale wind farm is dedicated

Only a few years ago, any wind turbine that was built in New England was big news. But these days – with the signature white blades beginning to whirl next to an increasing number of schools and businesses, the solitary turbines are simply becoming a part of the landscape.

But this isn’t true for industrial wind farms. Concerns about aesthetics, noise and bird kills have stalled the proposed Nantucket Sound 130-turbine project - the poster child for opposition - but several other land-based projects are on hold for the same reasons from the Berkshires to Maine.

That’s why it's worth noting that New Hampshire’s first commercial scale wind farm is being dedicated today, some 30 miles north of Keene in the Southwest portion of the Granite State. The 12 turbines are producing enough electricity to power about 10,000 homes.

According to local news accounts, the project – not unexpectedly – has been the subject of some controversy. But the farm, on a private property’s ridgeline, is up and running in full view of travelers on Route 10.

Built by Iberdrola Renewables Inc., a subsidiary of the Spanish energy company Iberdrola, the project took five years to complete. The company has several other projects in the pipeline in New England – including the controversial Hoosac wind project in Florida and Monroe that’s been tied up in legal fights and permitting for eight years and Vermont’s Deerfield Wind project that just received a certificate of public good from the Vermont Public Service Board.

It's going to be interesting to see how the wind farm wars play out on our landscape in the next decade. Of course, there are good and bad places for wind farms. But where they ultimately will be built - and how many - will define New England's role in coming years in the renewable energy revolution.