Energy Department Helps Maine's Small Islands Meet Energy Challenges

Nov. 28, 2016

Like many island communities, two islands located off the coast of Maine&emdash;Isle au Haut and Monhegan&emdash;do not have economies of scale or local fossil fuel resources, resulting in high energy costs. Isle au Haut, for example, gets electricity via an undersea cable that is 3 years past its intended lifespan. If it fails, the island will rely on a diesel generator for power. Electricity on Monhegan Island is supplied by diesel generators, and residents charter a boat for expensive fuel deliveries. The Energy Department is working to address challenges like these through the Energy Transition Initiative (ETI), which provides technical assistance and resources to support communities transitioning to a clean energy economy. Through WINDExchange, the Energy Department is collaborating with the Island Institute, which works to sustain Maine's island and remote coastal communities and has already developed solutions to energy issues like these. The Island Institute participates in the Islanded Grid Resource Center, for which WINDExchange provides funding support.