Regulators initially approve massive CT wind, solar buys

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority tentatively approved the state’s purchase of 270 megawatts of renewable power from a Maine wind farm and a Lisbon solar array.

PURA issued its draft decision on the proposals from electric utilities Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating to charge ratepayers for the cost of recovering the expenses of buying this renewable power.

Regulators will have a hearing on this decision Wednesday before issuing their final ruling, which can change from the draft decision.

The proposal to buy 250 megawatts of wind from Number Nine Wind Farm in Maine and 20 megawatts of solar from Fusion Solar Center in Lisbon was orchestrated by the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, which solicited projects in an effort to meet the state’s renewable energy goals.