The eleven 550-kilowatt wind turbines that make up Searsburg's 6-megawatt power plant provide enough emission-free electricity to supply 1,600 average Vermont households. It is owned by Green Mountain Power and went online in July, 1997.

Searsburg also serves as an educational resource and research tool for investigating wind generation in cold climates. As a result, Searsburg has established the standard for wind energy generation in the Northeast’s harsh climate – exemplified by the facility’s 90%+ availability over its nearly 10 years of operation. See the press release here.

VERA was instrumental in helping Green Mountain Power bring this showcase project from concept to completion. VERA continues to provide public outreach and performance monitoring services at the site, and is working with Deerfield Wind LLC on plans to expand the project.


deerfield wind expansion

The Deerfield Wind project builds upon the success of the Northeast’s largest utility-scale wind installation: the Searsburg Wind Power Facility. The proposed expansion project will add 20 to 30 1.5 to 2.0 MW wind turbines to the existing facility – providing enough electricity for 14,000 to 16,000 average Vermont homes. VERA is working with Deerfield Wind LLC and Green Mountain Power Corp to develop plans for the project, which was purchased by PPM Energy from enXco, Inc. in February 2006.

The Deerfield Wind/Searsburg Expansion development process is steered by the Collaborative Team, with more than 30 local, state, regional and federal stakeholders. VERA conceived this cooperative process as a means of guiding the project toward a design that benefits the general public, as well as a wide variety of special interests.