January 11, 2018
Alberta

Wind Farm proposed for Sedalia area

By Jackie Irwin, Hanna Herald | Wednesday, January 10, 2018 | www.hannaherald.com

EDP Renewables Canada Ltd. Received was selected as one of three companies in the opening round of the Renewable Electricity Program, which will result in about $1 billion of private-sector investment in green power generation in Alberta.

While the company isn’t local, they plan to set up shop near Sedalia and New Brigden with an 83-turbine wind farm.

“I’m pleased to see our plan is working to make life better and more affordable,” noted Premier Rachel Notley in December when announcing the winning bidders.

“This highly competitive program is attracting investment from Alberta and around the world, creating new jobs in our province while getting Albertans the most renewable power generation for the lowest cost.”

The weighted average price of the successful bids is 3.7 cents per kilowatt-hour.

“These prices are beyond expectations, highlighting the strong potential of renewable power in Alberta, the quality of the competitive process and the positive view that investors have of our province,” noted Energy Minister Margaret McCuaig when the announcement was made.

“This is a win for power generators, a win for the environment and a win for Albertans.”

“We’re thrilled to be investing in Alberta and look forward to the Sharp Hills Wind Farm opening in the Hanna area, which has a strong track record in energy production,” said EDP Renewables Vice President for the Eastern Region and Canada Ryan Brown.

“As a global company, we look forward to creating jobs and tax revenue for this region while generating low-cost, clean electricity for Albertans to enjoy.”

The proposed Sharp Hills Wind Farm project was modified from its original proposal after EDP received feedback from stakeholders.

The group issued a release in late 2017 that noted they had made the modifications, reducing the number of turbines from 96 to 83.

“We will not be considering alternative turbine locations,” the group informed stakeholders in a letter.

They noted the project capacity would be 298.8 megawatts with each turbine having a capacity of 3.6 megawatts.

In an attempt to clarify issues for those who had expressed concerns EDP updated their project map and noise contours for the lowered number of turbines.

“These changes identify a reduced overall Project Impact,” the letter noted.

In a letter of their own Special Areas addressed the issue, noting that the project, was a “sensitive issue.”

“I understand you may have ratepayers concerned about the larger issue of renewable energy development and this project specifically,” noted Special Areas Board Chair Jordan Christianson in the letter.

Christianson wrote that the Board had been notified that the Alberta Utilities Commission had received the application for the project, adding individuals could learn more about their process at auc.ab.ca/Pages/Default.aspx.

Christianson said that those wishing for more information from Special Areas should contact Director of Property Administration Trent Caskey at 403-854-5619.

“I encourage you to reach out to our management team, and to myself, if you have specific questions or concerns you are looking to respond to.

“The development process for these projects is well defined with very specific roles and responsibilities outlined for the various regulatory bodies involved,” he added.

Geoff Scotton from AUC noted that the project was early in the application process, sending out letters to parties who had expressed interest in being part of the process when the project was initially announced.

Scotton noted that there was at least one significant group consisting of 40 to 50 landowners who had wanted to be a part of the process.

The next step, according to the AUC, is to allow public filings retarding any concerns or objections anyone might have.

[rest of article available at source]

For more information on the project visit sharphillswindfarm.edpr-windfarms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2017/10/EDPR-Sharp-Hills-Wind-Farm-October-2017-Project-Mail-Out.pdf


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/01/11/wind-farm-proposed-for-sedalia-area/