Dec. 16--Electric plants driven by wind, biomass and fuel cells are the first three projects to win approval under a state program designed to boost the amount of "clean" electrical power generated for Connecticut.

The plants, the first of which could begin operation as soon as next year, would generate a combined 34 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 25,000 homes, according to the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, which administers the program known as Project 100.

The projects approved by the Clean Energy Fund include: -- A 15- megawatt wind project proposed by enXco LLC, which is developing a wind-power plant known as Hoosac Wind in Florida, Mass. Electricity generated there would be imported to Connecticut.

-- A 4-megawatt fuel-cell project planned for Wallingford by PPL Energy Services, working in conjunction with Danbury-based FuelCell Energy.

-- A 15-megawatt biomass plant by GDI Renewable Power in Watertown. The plant would run on gas derived from wood and other biological materials.

Completion of the projects would represent a substantial boost to the amount of electricity in Connecticut generated from nontraditional power plants using so-called "clean" technologies, according to Charlie Moret, a managing director for Connecticut Innovations, a state agency that oversees the Clean Energy Fund.

The wind power project could come on line as early as 2006, with the others reaching completion between 2007 and 2009, he said.

The three projects were chosen from 13 proposals from companies seeking to develop renewable power generation plants. Eligible projects had to produce at least a megawatt of power and not more than 15 megawatts.

Promotion of clean energy projects was approved by the legislature as part of a 2003 law restructuring the state's electricity market. The law permits power generators working under the Project 100 program to receive a premium of as much as 5.5 cents per kilowatt hour over the regular wholesale electric rate.

That higher rate is aimed at making such projects more competitive with traditional power plants, which typically generate electricity more cheaply than clean alternatives.

"This legislation creates a strong viable market for energy generated by clean and renewable-energy technologies," said Lise Donde, the Clean Energy Fund's chief operating officer.

The final rate available to Project 100 participants is to be negotiated between the generators and the state's two largest electric utilities, Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating.

Under state law, the higher rate would be available for a decade. In addition, the Clean Energy Fund, which receives money from a surcharge on electric bills, is contributing $50,000 toward development of each of the three plants.

The projects are still subject to approval by the state Department of Public Utility Control, which will consider them after the generators negotiate final proposals with the electric utilities.

In addition to boosting the amount of clean energy available in the state, Project 100 also would provide a lift for FuelCell Energy, which has been looking to multi-megawatt fuel cell power plants as a way to increase its production and drive down costs.

The Project 100 program eventually aims to promote construction of 100 megawatts of clean power for the state. Consideration of a second round of projects representing another 34 megawatts of power is scheduled to begin in mid-2006, Moret said. The third round and final round of projects would be considered in 2007.