Wind turbine powers Fall River plant

FALL RIVER, Mass., (WPRI) - The tallest structure in the City of Fall River is now a wind turbine at Philips Lighting North America.

The installation of the wind turbine is a major step in becoming carbon-neutral. Seventy percent of the plant's electricity will be from the wind.

"Our ultimate objective is to have all our facilities become net zero factories and offices," CEO Zia Eftekhar said.

Standing 413 feet tall from blade-tip to the ground, the 2 megawatts of electricity generated could power 500 homes.

"This is such a positive moment for our city. As the city of Fall River is becoming one of the leaders in Massachusetts for green energy and efficiency," said Mayor Will Flanagan.

Mayor Flanagan said this 40 story turbine will change the city's landscape literally and symbolically as the city becomes greener and greener.

This also fits in with Governor Deval Patrick's clean energy agenda for Massachusetts.

"We set an ambitious goal of 2,000 megawatts by 2020. That's enough energy to power 800,000 homes and reduce green house gas emissions by 3.1 million tons," said Gov. Patrick.

In Massachusetts, there are currently 44 megawatts of wind turbines installed with another 91 megawatts under construction - that's about seven percent of the 2,000 megawatt goal.