Berkshire Wind Power Project

The Berkshire Wind Power Project is an operating 20 MW onshore wind farm in Massachusetts, notable for its cooperative ownership and recent decline in generation.

Overview

The Berkshire Wind Power Project is a significant wind energy asset in Massachusetts, known for its cooperative ownership structure and its role in the regional grid. It has been operational for over a decade, contributing to the state's renewable energy portfolio.

• Project Name: Berkshire Wind Power Project
• Status: Operating
• Operating Since: 2011
• Technology Focus: Wind
• Location: Massachusetts
• Parent Company: Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company
• EIA Operator: Massachusetts Mun Wholes Electric Co
• Ownership: Berkshire Wind Power Cooperative Corp.
• Wikipedia Snippet: The Berkshire Wind Power Project is a wind farm on Brodie Mountain in Hancock, Massachusetts. Owned and operated by the Berkshire Wind Power Cooperative Corporation, it is the second largest wind farm in Massachusetts, with 12 GE 1.5 MW wind turbines and a total installed capacity of 19.6 MW. The Be

Fleet Details

The project consists of a modest number of onshore wind turbines, contributing to its overall capacity.

• Capacity: 20 MW
• Generators: 3
• Technologies: Onshore Wind Turbine
• Grid ISO: ISO New England
• Grid NERC: NPCC
• Grid BA: ISO New England Inc.
• Similar Plants: Oak Tree Energy, Cedar Hills Wind Farm, Milner Dam Wind Park LLC
• Nearby Plants: Nexamp Peak CSG, Jiminy Peak Wind QF, Saddleback Solar

Financial Profile

While specific detailed financial metrics are limited, the provided CapEx offers insight into the initial investment per kilowatt.

• CapEx: $1895/kW
• CapEx Sources: eia_agg_cost

Generation Profile

The Berkshire Wind Power Project demonstrates a capacity factor typical for wind projects, but recent data indicates a concerning downward trend in generation.

• Capacity Factor: 24.5%
• Annual Generation: 42 GWh
• Recent Monthly Generation (2025-10): 4 GWh
• Recent Monthly Generation (2025-11): 4 GWh
• Recent Monthly Generation (2025-12): 3 GWh
• Generation Trend: down 31% over past 6 months vs prior 6 months

Strategic Outlook

The significant decline in recent generation, coupled with a reported wildfire constraint, suggests potential operational challenges or environmental impacts that warrant further investigation. The cooperative ownership model and long operational history, however, provide a stable foundation for future strategic decisions regarding the plant's performance and potential upgrades.