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.
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 . . .
Wind power projects considered
A pair of wind power projects, proposed to be constructed near Summerland, would generate enough electricity to power around 5,000 homes. The Shinish Creek North and South Wind Power Projects would be set up around 30 kilometres west of Summerland, south of the Princeton-Summerland Road. The proposal, presented last week, would see the work taking place next year with the project becoming operational late in 2013. Zero Emission Energy Developments is the company behind the projects. Alastair King, president and . . .
Wind project generates interest
A $40 million wind power project proposed for near Summerland hopes to begin operation in 2013. Shinish Creek wind power is an initiative to construct and operate a small-scale 15 MegaWatt project to sell power to BC Hydro. An open house on Wednesday to introduce the project at the Summerland library allowed the public a chance to ask questions. “We are concerned about the number and kinds of birds that will be affected by this project,” said Jim Bryan, chair . . .
Winds of change prove costly
Residents of Summerland and Penticton should prepare themselves for a sales job of epic scale — for a wind project of small scale. ZED, or Zero Emissions Development, are proposing to develop two “small-scale” 15 megawatt wind farm projects at Shinish Creek in the mountains to the west of Summerland. ZED is conducting public consultations in Summerland Nov. 23, and proposes to have the development in operation by 2013. BC Hydro, the BC Liberals and all the big Green supporters . . .
