News

On December 19, 2012, the Monhegan Plantation Power District (MPPD) was awarded a $420,000 grant from the USDA's High Energy Cost Grant program. MPPD will utilize these funds to replace its aging switchgear system, install a smaller generator to more efficiently cover the island's winter load, and install 13 kW of photovoltaic panels on the power station roof. This work is anticipated to take place in fall 2013. For more information on this grant, please see the links below or contact Chris Smith at chris@monheganpower.com

USDA press release: www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2012/12/0364.xml&contentidonly=true

Additional coverage: http://islandinstitute.org/island-institute-news-and-press-releases/Monhegan-Receives-420000-Grant-to-Help-Reduce-Energy-Costs/15145/

Who We Are

The Monhegan Plantation Power District (MPPD) was established in 1999 to provide centralized power to the remote island community of Monhegan, Maine. We are considered a “quasi-municipal” utility, subject to state and federal law. The District manages the diesel generators atop Lighthouse Hill, the island distribution system and roughly 100 ratepayer accounts. Decisions are made by a three-member Board of Trustees.

History

MPPD has long aimed to make renewable power generation in a remote island setting sustainable, both in terms of cost and environmental impact. Our current power station was designed with the intention to one day incorporate either wind or solar power. Since 2000, we have been evaluating different renewable energy technologies to see how they match our natural resources and electricity needs.

http://www.monheganenergy.info