MWRA plans to construct at least two, 190-foot wind turbines on Deer Island

 

By Seth Daniel

For the Transcript

  
Two new wind turbines are about to blow their way onto Deer Island, with three more potentially on the way.

 

 MWRA officials announced last week that they will be razing an old building on the eastern side of the island and are now beginning foundation work for the two, 190-foot wind turbines.

 The construction could cause some closures of the perimeter walking path, though all closures will be announced via a sign near the entrance areas.

 Ria Convery, a spokesperson at the MWRA, said a contract for the turbines was awarded last fall. Construction on the two turbines will begin in mid-July, she said. They should be operational by fall.

 They will most likely be visible from some sections of Winthrop, and will certainly become a recognized land feature from the water.

 She said each turbine is capable of generating 600 kW, but will generate 2 million kW hours per year, saving the MWRA around $230,000 in utilities.

 If the first two turbines prove successful, then more will certainly be on the way.

 “The Federal Aviation Administration also gave conditional approval for three more turbines at Deer Island, provided that the first two do not cause any interference at Logan Airport,” said Convery.