Wind Power News: Canada
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch 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.
Some of P.E.I.’s wind turbines remain without power almost three weeks after Fiona
Summerside, P.E.I. – Wind turbines across Prince Edward Island kept their structural integrity after post-tropical storm Fiona hit the province on Sept. 23-24, but power remains off at some sites and some blades appear damaged. In Summerside, an initial inspection found there was little damage to the four turbines. However, the city says they were turned off for safety reasons. “We need to do a better inspection with binoculars and drones on the blades to make sure there is no cracking . . . Complete story »
Group raises concerns about potential wind farm in Wentworth Valley area
The Protect Wentworth Valley group supports wind energy projects, but not at the expense of species at risk and biodiversity. That is the concern they raise following the province’s announcement last month of five potential renewable wind energy projects, determined through a request for proposals (RFP) process, which included Higgins Mountain Wind Farm, a site near Wentworth and the Colchester-Cumberland counties boundary. “Our concern is it is located in prime endangered species territory; in both its habitat area and through . . . Complete story »
Inuvik wind project costs almost double, NWT asks Ottawa for help
Construction of a wind turbine outside Inuvik is now expected to cost up to $70 million, nearly twice the initial budget. The NWT has asked the federal government for more money. Four years ago, the project to build an 80-metre turbine on a hill east of the Beaufort Delta community received $30 million in federal funding and $10 million from the territorial government. The 3.5-megawatt turbine is expected to put a major dent in Inuvik’s diesel consumption and make a . . . Complete story »
Concerns over wind turbines continue despite no new applications
Eganville – Concerns over the impact of wind turbines are continuing for local researcher Carmen Krogh, despite the fact no new wind farm applications have been submitted locally. “I have been told by some they are likely coming to Renfrew County,” she told BV council last Tuesday. “I don’t have proof of that.” A local researcher into the effects of wind turbines, she has been widely published and has spoken internationally on the subject for years, warning about the dangers . . . Complete story »
Proposed Cape Breton wind farm not on list of approved renewable energy projects
CREIGNISH, N.S. – The company behind a proposed 15-turbine wind farm in western Cape Breton plans to continue to prepare for future production despite not making the list of approved projects in Nova Scotia’s latest procurement of low-cost renewable energy. The portfolio of initiatives includes two wind farms in Hants County, one straddling Pictou and Antigonish counties, one in Yarmouth County and one near Wentworth in Colchester and Cumberland counties. Conspicuous by its absence was the Rhodena Wind Project, a Creignish-area . . . Complete story »
More well water investigation needed: expert
It was my pleasure to participate as a member of the expert panel on the recent All-Hazard Investigation of Well Water in Chatham-Kent. The expert panel provided advice and expertise for the investigation of well water from within the North Kent 1 industrial wind complex where some residents had raised concerns regarding water quality, during and following wind turbine construction. The Expert Panel’s Final Report was made public earlier this year as reported in the Chatham Voice (April 20). The . . . Complete story »
‘No need to rush’ on wind farm impact assessment, says environmental group
An environmental group on Newfoundland’s west coast says it supports a proposed wind-to-hydrogen project for the Port au Port Peninsula in principle but doesn’t want the impact assessment or consultation process rushed for what could be a precedent-setting project for the province. Katie Temple, the executive director of the Western Environment Centre of Newfoundland, said while the World Energy GH2 proposal could help reduce reduce fossil fuel dependence, the process seems to be “happening very quickly,” given the provincial moratorium . . . Complete story »
Local wind project approved, Rhodena Wind farm denied
HALIFAX: A local wind project was selected and another was rejected to take part in a power purchase agreement with Nova Scotia Power (NSP). In a press release issued on Aug. 17, CustomerFirst Renewables, the procurement administrator for the provincial government, announced the successful energy projects that included WEB Weavers Mountain Wind in Antigonish and Pictou counties, which will be developed by SWEB Development and Glooscap First Nation. Successful projects will receive a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with NSP for . . . Complete story »
On eve of Canada’s green energy pact with Germany, N.L. wind farm project awaits approval
Tuesday’s high-profile signing of an agreement to sell Canadian-made hydrogen to Germany is intensifying the spotlight on a proposed wind-to-hydrogen development project in western Newfoundland. World Energy GH2 has proposed a wind farm and green hydrogen plant on Newfoundland’s west coast that could provide some of the renewable energy Germany needs, but it hasn’t been approved yet and must undergo an environmental assessment before it gets the green light. On the eve of the agreement’s signing – by Canadian Prime Minister . . . Complete story »
Appalachian Trail disappointed by plan to develop wind farm on west coast
The co-chair of the Appalachian Trail, which is the major proponent of the Aspiring Global Geopark for the Port au Port and Lewis Hills area, is disappointed with plans to develop wind farms in the area. Paul Wylezol says they’re nearly a decade into their efforts to get the UNESCO designation to highlight the local geology and ecology on a global scale. He fears the erection of hundreds of wind turbines will have a detrimental effect on their plans. Site . . . Complete story »
