Dive Brief:

• The Maine Supreme Court Tuesday ruled that a wind farm joint venture between First Wind and Emera violated the state's deregulation rules, which prohibit utilities from owning generation.
• Halifax, Nova Scotia-based Emera, which owns two Maine utilities, had committed $333 million to the joint venture, which planned to build wind farms in the Northeast.
• The case goes back to the Maine Public Utilities Commission for reconsideration. First Wind is reviewing its options.

Dive Insight:

In 2012, First Wind transferred 385 MW wind projects to the joint venture, Northeast Wind Partners. Emera viewed the joint venture as a foothold into the Northeast's renewable market. For First Wind, the deal brought a helpful infusion of capital to develop its wind project pipeline. The companies may be able to restructure the arrangement so it passes legal muster in Maine.