BDN FILE PHOTO Island residents including Patrick Trainor (lower right) and his dog Kaiko gather for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the three wind turbines of Fox Islands Wind on Vinalhaven on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009. The turbines are creating plenty of power, but are also creating problems for neighbors who say the turbines are noisy and disruptive.

VINALHAVEN, Maine — A wind power project dedicated two months ago on Maine's Vinalhaven island is creating plenty of power, but it's also creating problems for neighbors who say the turbines are noisy and disruptive.

When the island's three turbines were turned on in November, they were touted as a way to generate electricity at lower rates for residents on Vinalhaven and nearby North Haven.

A number of residents who were supporters of the project are having a change of mind because of the noise issues. They say the noise, which varies with wind speed and direction, ranges from mildly annoying to intrusive and is disrupting the quiet solitude that comes with island living.

In the wake of the complaints, the developer is taking steps to lessen the impact.