December 29, 2006
Canada
Canada
Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. (CHD) has acquired all shares of Vector Wind Energy Inc. for a cash payment of $5.3- million, the companies said in a joint news release just before Christmas.
The acquisition adds Vector’s 20 prospective wind energy areas – with capacity for 1,000 megawatts of electrical generation – primarily in Manitoba and Ontario, but also in Quebec, the Maritimes and Newfoundland.
CHD already has a diversified portfolio of renewable energy plants – wind, water and biomass – at 18 facilities in B.C., Alberta and Ontario, including the Melancthon I wind farm.
Those generate a “net 230 MW in operation,” according to an October 2006 news release. As well, CHD said it has an additional 385 MW “nearing construction.”
That would include CHD’s 132-MW Melancthon II project, for which the turbines and other equipment are already on hand. That project has gone through the Environment Screening Report process, including reportedly positive consultations with Six Nations people and the council.
Amaranth Township council has yet to vote on zoning requirements, and the Ministry of Environment has yet to approve the ESR.
Canadian Hydro’s CEO, John Keating, said recently that delays in approval are costing the company about $10-million. CHD has served notice of a possible Ontario Municipal Board hearing, but no date has been set.
CHD says its existing “portfolio is unique in Canada as all facilities are certified, or slated for certification, under Environment Canada’s EcoLogoM (Environmental Choice) Program.”
Environment Canada says of the program, “Products and services certified by the Environmental Choice Program are proven to have less of an impact on the environment because of the way in which they are manufactured, disposed of, or consumed.
Certification is based on compliance with stringent environmental criteria that are established in consultation with industry, environmental groups, and independent experts and are based on research into the lifecycle impacts of a product or service.”
By Wes Keller
Freelance Reporter
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/12/29/canadian-hydro-adds-potentially-1000-mw-wind-energy/