Wind Power News: British Columbia
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Tumbler Ridge Wind Project back on track
After being put on hold in late August 2011, Finavera Wind Energy’s Tumbler Ridge Wind Project is back under review by the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). The project was put on hold after a request for more information from the EAO, who were looking for more information about the project’s effect on birds and bats, noise concerns, visual effects, and impacts on a guide outfitter are among the areas The project was halted 147 days into the 180 . . .
Plans to ship early proves (mostly) baseless for Quality Wind Project
The first Wind Turbine bases for the Quality Wind Project rolled past Tumbler Ridge Monday, February 6 after an adventurous trip from Portland, Oregon. Turbine manufacturer Vestas has 19 bases completed and planned to ship them over the next few weeks, well in advance of schedule. However, spring-like conditions in Southern Alberta means that the Alberta Ministry of Transportation has implemented thaw bans. Only the first three trucks were able to make it into the province before the ban took . . .
Wind power sector eager to deliver on promise
As Christy Clark’s Liberals tie British Columbia’s economic future to an unprecedented natural gas boom, proponents of the province’s renewable energy resources hope for an opportunity to join in. B.C., predisposed to both massive and small-scale hydro-electric power development, has been one of the world’s laggards in terms of wind energy. Independent power producers say B.C. has tremendous potential for wind power development – but so far, BC Hydro’s preference has been for small-scale hydro projects in the private sector, . . .
Loons are habringers of bad weather
Major threats to loons include oil spills or other water pollutants, habitat loss, entrapment in fishing nets when the dive and have been known to fall victim to coastal wind farm turbines.
Canada’s Haida Nation rejects NaiKun offshore wind stake
Haida Nation members in the Canadian province of British Columbia have voted overwhelmingly against entering into a proposed business partnership with a private company seeking to develop the 396MW NaiKun offshore wind project. Haida Nation President Guujaaw Edenshaw tells Recharge that the 505-181 vote was a fair reflection of prevailing sentiment among his members that the project represents an unacceptable financial risk for them, and could pose problems for birds and the ecosystem in the Hecate Strait. “They genuinely believed . . .
Doldrums over for Cape Scott wind farm
North Island wind power development is no longer becalmed. The Nomis Power Corporation’s much delayed project recently received an environmental assessment certificate for the proposed Cape Scott Wind farm Project, which will allow construction to begin at last. This $280 million project will be located 11-kilometres north of Holberg and 45-kilometres northwest of Port Hardy, and will consist of up to 50 wind turbines that will generate up to 100 megawatts of electricity, enough to power up to 30,000 homes. . . .
Province green lights Vancouver Island wind farm
A $280-million wind farm on the northern tip of Vancouver Island has been issued an environmental assessment certificate, subject to 104 legally binding conditions. The Nahwitti Windfarm Project, with 47 wind turbine generators, will be built on 10,000 hectares of mostly Crown land covered with shallow bogs, stunted trees and small rock outcrops, about 45 kilometres west of Port Hardy. The wind towers are expected to produce up to 100 megawatts of wind energy, enough to feed power to 30,000 . . .
Wind farm on north Island clears hurdle
A $280-million wind-farm project on Vancouver Island has been given the green light by the province after a review by the Environmental Assessment Office. Nomis Power Corporation plans to erect as many as 50 wind turbines with a goal of producing 100 megawatts of wind energy – enough to provide energy for up to 30,000 homes. The proposed Nahwitti Windfarm Project north of Port Hardy has been granted an environmental assessment certificate, but the approval comes with a long list . . .
Haida reject wind farm partnership
Members of the Haida Nation have strongly rejected a proposed business partnership with the company wanting to build an offshore wind farm in Hecate Strait. In balloting conducted over the past two weekend, Haida citizens voted 505 to 181 against entering a partnership with Naikun Wind Energy, according to results posted on the Council of the Haida Nation website. The Haida Development Corporation announced a memorandum of understanding back in 2009 for involvement in the project, contingent on a number . . .
Saltspring residents to smart meters: Stay off our island!
Saltspring Islanders are organizing to stop B.C. Hydro smart meters from being installed on their homes. “I won’t let them take my meter,” island resident Andrea Collins told The Province. “End of story — they’re not having my [analog] meter. “On Saltspring, we’re getting very organized now,” said Collins, adding plans are afoot to drive the meter installers employed by Corix, the firm with the contract to install the meters, off the island. “We have our network set up so . . .
