**DOWNWIND:** Shortly after sunrise on Wednesday morning, crews toppled Hull Wind II, which had stood atop the former landfill since 2006. The 200-foot-tall wind turbine had been offline for several years after replacement parts could not be found to make the needed repairs. [Skip Tull photo]

With a loud crash that reverberated through the Rockaway neighborhood, Hull’s last remaining wind turbine was toppled by crews early Wednesday morning, officially ending the town’s decades-old foray into wind-generated electricity.

The 1.8-megawatt turbine, which was about 200 feet tall, was installed at the former town landfill in May 2006 and generated enough energy to power 800 homes each year. It had been offline since 2023 and was declared beyond repair less than a year later when replacement parts could not be located.

Crews cut into the tower at the base and the turbine crashed to the ground shortly after sunrise on Wednesday. Some neighborhood residents expressed surprise that the light plant kept them in the dark about the demolition. The removal also was not discussed with light commissioners at the board’s meeting on Tuesday night.

“Due to the timing and location of Hull Wind II, and for safety reasons, the date and time of demolition was not publicized prior to removal,” according to a statement issued by the light plant Wednesday evening.

**GROUNDED**: The demolition crew made quick work of taking down Hull Wind II at the former town dump on Wednesday morning. After they cut into the base, the 200-foot tower crashed to the ground shortly after sunrise. [Richard W. Green photo]

The removal of Hull Wind II comes after Hull Wind I at Pemberton was taken down in February 2024. That turbine also was deemed beyond repair. The light plant estimated that Hull Wind II generated 7% of the energy needs of customers, while the smaller Hull Wind I provided 4% of the town’s electricity.

“In the wake of decommissioning both Hull Wind I and II, Hull Municipal Light Plant and the light board look forward to developing new initiatives and partnerships to enhance energy services,” the light plant’s statement concluded.

– Christopher Haraden

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