By Ed Morin
Maine Public news story
LIMESTONE, Maine — A Maine-based solar power developer has signed a lease for more than 600 acres at the former Loring Air Force Base in northern Maine.
Ranger Solar said that project would produce up to 100 megawatts of power and would be the region’s largest solar project to date.
Aaron Svedlow from Ranger Solar said the project is in the early stages, but that Ranger is committed to the project. He says there are several reasons that Ranger Solar has chosen the Aroostook County location. One, the Loring site is a large previously developed tract of land that Svedlow says is in some respects underused. Also, he says, while this part of the state is somewhat electrically isolated, it needs power.
“And additionally we see this being a good fit economically and environmentally for northern Maine,” he says.
Svedlow says the company would like to see construction underway before 2019. He says the company is still evaluating potential power purchase agreements.
Carl Flora from the Loring Development Authority said the lease covers several parcels on the 3,800-acre property in the town of Limestone.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
