Wind generation projects continue to blossom around the country despite economic and regulatory headwinds.

The most recent addition to the burgeoning US wind power sector is the 60 MW Rollins Wind project in Penobscot County Maine, which began producing power at the end of July and will deliver power via long-term electricity contracts with Bangor Hydro and Central Maine Power.

The project has been developed comparatively quietly, avoiding much of the controversy surrounding the offshore Cape Winds project down the coast in Massachusetts. The installation, which was formally completed on July 20, came after “a long road,” nonetheless, CEO of developer First Wind Paul Gaynor said. First Wind now has 185 MW of wind power operational in the state.

The project was first announced in 2008, received approvals from various state agencies in 20009 and then closed on its $98 million financing for the project in December 2010.

For more on the Cape Wind controversy, see: Blowing Hot And Cold On Wind Farm Cost Questions.

“The fact that the generation from this project will be used to stabilize electric rates as part of the Standard Offer supply for Maine electricity customers clearly demonstrates that wind can be developed competitively with other alternatives,” Maine House Chair of the Energy Utilities and Technology Committee Stacey Fitts said as the project was formally announced. “This is not easy, and we should congratulate everyone involved in this project for their efforts.”

Rollins Wind broke ground on the first of a total of 40 wind mills in September 2010, and First Wind emphasized the jobs and economic impact of the construction project in announcing its completion. Rollins Wind uses 1.5 MW GE turbines.