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Wind Power News: British Columbia
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
‘Not looking good’: Wind turbines a threat to Canadian bat populations
A species of bats could have their numbers cut in half by 2028 if they’re not protected immediately, says a bat expert. Dr. Cori Lausen comment comes after the Commitee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada released a an assessment May 10 regarding three species of bats: the eastern red, hoary and silver-haired.All three bat species have declined dramatically in recent years and the committee assessed each of them as “endangered.” The three species fly at night and . . . Complete story »
B.C. company looks to mountains north of Lillooet for future wind farms
A B.C. company is looking at two remote mountains in the Interior for future wind farm projects. The numbered company, 1334689 B.C. Ltd, plans to explore China Head Mountain and Black Dome Mountain, which are northwest of Clinton in the Thompson Nicola Regional District. The potential location for the turbines is on unsurveyed Crown land and the project has several steps to pass before the company gets a green light, according to a report to the regional district board. While . . . Complete story »
The unintended consequences of ‘clean and green’
We all go to the store to purchase things – groceries, clothing, tools or the latest electronic gadget. During the global pandemic, an increasing share of shopping has shifted online. A few clicks and an item soon arrives at our doorstep. We also often demand and receive services like education and medical care remotely these days. And natural gas and electricity almost invisibly are delivered through pipes and lines to heat and power our homes. However, we rarely ask where these . . . Complete story »
District says no to erecting wind turbine blade
The District of Port Hardy will not be taking part in the erection of a wind turbine blade as a tribute to the Cape Scott wind farm. The Operational Services Committee had a meeting with project manager Rick Milligan, with the following minutes being listed: Milligan advised the blade has been brought to Port Hardy, the transportation provided by Vestas. The 50 meter long blade was damaged at the site, never installed and is now undergoing minor repairs. Milligan advised . . . Complete story »
Solar, wind power costly and unreliable
Re: Site C B.C. voters are misinformed concerning solar and wind-generated power. Because B.C. can generate clean hydro power, duplicating hydro power generation with solar and wind power generation is an absurd idea. It makes no environmental or economic sense to switch off hydro generation, to instead turn on high-priced solar and wind power. BC Hydro power generation is capable of supplying continuous reliable electricity to homes and industry at an affordable cost. Reliable and affordable means the kitchen range, . . . Complete story »
Better to stick with what works in B.C.
Re: “Europe makes strides in renewable energy,” letter, Nov. 16. Yes, the Netherlands has an electric railway run by offshore wind turbines. But five years after it started, the Dutch government said offshore wind power is too expensive and that it cannot afford to subsidize the entire cost of 18 cents per kilowatt hour – about 4.5 billion euros last year. (That’s more than $6.5 billion of our dollars.) Then look at Germany, which reportedly spent $1.4 trillion on turbines. The . . . Complete story »
B.C. might not need any additional wind power either
At first blush, the BC Utilities Commission’s (BCUC) final report on the Site C dam might give independent power producers, especially wind power developers, hope of a revival. The report states that “increasingly viable alternative energy sources such as wind, geothermal and industrial curtailment could provide similar benefits to ratepayers as the Site C project, with an equal or lower unit energy cost.” But that’s assuming B.C. needs to generate more power, something the BCUC report casts doubt on. For . . . Complete story »
Wind or water? The Site C debate generally splits into two camps: hydroelectric or wind power
Would you rather spend $100,000 on a car designed to run for at least 70 years or $25,000 for a car that you will have to replace every 20 years, but which you know is almost guaranteed to be cheaper to replace? Just one thing: the $25,000 car runs only 30% of the time, when the weather is bad. That is the – admittedly oversimplified – debate that is shaping up around the Site C dam. While there are many . . . Complete story »
More wind power projects slated for Merritt
Two wind energy projects currently in the development stage could see up to 14 more turbines added to the Pennask Plateau along the Okanagan Connector between Merritt and Kelowna. Though the projects likely won’t break ground until 2019 at the earliest, the Seabreeze Power Corporation completed environmental studies for the two projects last year. The company is now in the permitting stage; aiming to get approval on a development plan from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. . . . Complete story »
Wind farm project planned for Helmer Lake
KAMLOOPS – A Kelowna businessman says he wants to erect a pair of wind farms between Kamloops and Merritt by 2020. Martin Ince is gathering feedback for a proposed wind turbine project that would see a total of eight massive windmills built near Helmer Lake. “There would be a total of eight turbines in the project. That’s essentially enough to power 10,000 homes or so in the area,” said Ince. “It’s a small project in some ways, but it’s large enough . . . Complete story »
