Photos: Realizing Fire Island, Anchorage's first big wind power project

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 17

Crews use a crane to lift a Fire Island Wind turbine rotor into place on July 10, 2012. The wind turbines have a 262-foot-hub height with three 131-foot blades. All 11 turbines have been constructed and will start commercial operation in September 2012.

The debate over whether to build a wind farm on Anchorage's Fire Island has raged since the 1990s. In 2000, Chugach approached CIRI about developing a Fire Island wind project. CIRI owns 3,600 of Fire Island's 4,000 acres on the six-mile-long island.

The wind farm was a viable option for the land because it wouldn't involve having to put in any permanent infrastructure, such as a causeway or bridge. The wind farm is one of Alaska's largest, but not the biggest. Golden Valley Electric Association's Eva Creek project will be a larger, with 16 turbines generating 24.6 megawatts.

Now, in September 2012, Fire Island's 11 wind turbines will soon supplement Anchorage's power supply.

READ MORE: Fire Island windmills could be adding power to Anchorage grid in weeks