Fire Island wind project

Sustainable wind energy for Southcentral Alaska

Southcentral Alaska and the Railbelt region have reached a crucial point in the search for viable, reasonably priced new energy sources to help ease the strain on dwindling natural gas supplies.

CIRI, through its wholly owned subsidiary Fire Island Wind LLC, is developing a wind project on Fire Island, near Anchorage, that can help. The project is already under construction, and CIRI is committed to its successful completion. Fire Island Wind generates most of its power during the winter months when our community needs it the most. Grant funding will substantially reduce the cost of wind power to utility customers..

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska approved a power purchase agreement between Fire Island Wind and Chugach Electric Association on Oct. 10, 2011. Fire Island Wind is now proceeding with construction of a first-phase, 11-turbine wind farm on the island.

Click to see an overview
presentation of the
project.

Project Updates:

Jan. 12, 2012

Clearing work continues on the transmission line route in west Anchorage, particularly removal of recent heavy snowfall. The clearing work is approximately 50 percent completed.

The overhead section of the transmission line (can be seen on map) is cleared, and construction began yesterday. Construction starts at Minnesota Drive, then work west to Jewel Lake, and will include spot-in of the pilings and subsequent pilings installation. No trail closures are anticipated at this time.

 
Mid-December

Here are some construction photos of part of the transmission line that will carry power from the Fire Island wind farm to the mainland grid. The section of the transmission line shown in these photos is of the inter-tidal zone just off the Anchorage coast, looking down the bluff from near the Coastal Trail and Kincaid Park.

The terrain here is basically high, fairly dry mud flats. This section of transmission line ends at a transmission box that connects to the submarine section of the transmission line, which will cross the main channel to Fire Island.
Nov. 21, 2011

Construction of Fire Island Wind LLC's commercial-scale wind farm is beginning. The project includes construction of new transmission infrastructure to deliver power from Fire Island to Anchorage's energy grid.

For safety reasons, trails will be subject to intermittent closure with detours for power line work. Please use alternative routes and help us by sharing this information with other trail users.

Transmission line work has begun in the vicinity of the Coastal Trail. The trail won't be closed, and there may be a bypass around the work. Fire Island Wind expects to finish the transmission work near ski trails by the end of the month.

Click for full-size map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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