filed: January 7, 2012 • Saskatchewan

City of Saskatoon kills proposed wind turbine project at landfill

Credit: By David Hutton, The StarPhoenix, www.thestarphoenix.com 6 January 2012 ~~

The city has put an end to the controversial proposed wind turbine project at the Saskatoon landfill.

The city received only one bid at $6.35 million, close to $2 million over budget. It would still make a profit but “the rate of return is not enough,” the city said Friday in a press release.

“This is disappointing, for sure,” said Kevin Hudson of Saskatoon Light and Power in the release.

“It’s difficult to explain the reasons for the lack of proposals submitted, but perhaps, and despite our conservative estimates, the safety expectations the city has in place are so stringent the marketplace cannot meet them at this time in a cost-effective manner.”

The city has spent more than $500,000 studying the project, which it has maintained would be economically viable and cause no adverse health effects. An opposition group has claimed the project is being built in the wrong place and that there are potential health effects.

“This proposal is a high-end solution that comes with a high-end price tag,” said utility services manger Jeff Jorgenson.

“Although the cash flow for the proposed wind turbine would still be positive for the (city), the project is no longer considered to be a good financial investment.”

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