Land clearing is under way for a 44-turbine wind farm in western Maine, and contractors are expected to start work on roads to the planned towers this week.

Canadian-based energy company TransCanada has received all permits to move forward with its project in Kibby and Skinner townships in northern Franklin County. Clearing for roughly 17 miles of roads has begun and so has other procurement and engineering work.

Project Manager Wolfgang Neuhoff says plans call for having the first set of 22 turbines built and online in December 2009. The second set is to be online in 2010.

A 28-unit wind farm in Mars Hill started producing power in 2007 and another one is under construction on Stetson Mountain in eastern Maine.