Massachusetts utility regulators approve deals for NStar to buy wind power from Iberdrola Renewables' Hoosac Wind project in Massachusetts, Groton Wind in New Hampshire, and First Wind's Blue Sky East in Maine

Rachel Carter

BOSTON , August 24, 2011 (Associated Press) – Massachusetts regulators have approved deals by the state’s second-largest utility to buy power from three land wind farms.

That’s according to NStar [NST], which said on Friday that the Department of Public Utilities approved contracts between the utility and Hoosac Wind in Massachusetts, Groton Wind in New Hampshire and Blue Sky East in Maine.

DPU officials could not be reached for comment after business hours.

Under Massachusetts law, utilities must get 3 percent of their electricity demand through long-term contracts with renewable power providers.

The three deals represent about 1.6 percent of NStar’s demand, so still they must buy more renewable power.

National Grid, the state’s largest utility, is buying power from the Cape Wind offshore wind farm to meet its obligation. Boston-based NStar has said it wants to pursue cheaper power.

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