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Wind Power News: Alberta
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission 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. The original articles, links to which are provided, may have additional links and photos and other media that were not included here.
Halkirk wind turbine debris has no clean-up date yet: company
The company responsible for a new wind farm in the Halkirk region stated debris which fell off a turbine has no date yet for clean-up. Capital Power’s Halkirk 2 development was stood down in November 2024 after a nacelle and rotor fell to the ground Nov. 8 from the T33 turbine. A resident of Paintearth County, where Halkirk 2 is located, contacted the ECA Review over New Years to state he noticed the debris hadn’t been cleaned up and that . . . Complete story »
Toxic blade time bomb
We have documented the threats of industrial wind turbines to both soil and water in their pre and post-construction phases, not to mention birds, bats, insects, and humans. But not enough has been said about the serious environmental threat of “blade shedding.” This is erosion that occurs primarily on the edge of turbine blades as they are exposed to the elements. And it is far from benign: “Microplastic shedding from turbine blades, known as Leading Edge Erosion, is a great . . . Complete story »
Some landowners in rural Alberta don’t trust wind companies, alleging aggressive tactics
This is the second article in a two-part series about the opposition to wind energy in Kneehill County, Alta Last spring, at a meeting of residents of Kneehill County opposed to a new wind project in their Alberta community, a woman stood up and introduced herself to the crowd. In a room filled with neighbours angry about the proposed Lone Pine wind farm, Trish Tetz said she was one of approximately 40 people who had signed contracts to build turbines . . . Complete story »
Halkirk-area wind farm stood down after nacelle, rotor fall to ground
A wind farm in the Village of Halkirk region was stood down Nov. 8 after a nacelle and rotor fell from one of the towers. Tricia Johnston, director, communications and community engagement for Capital Power confirmed the facility was stood down that day after the incident. The incident occurred at the Halkirk 2 facility owned and operated by Capital Power. “There was an incident at the Halkirk 2 Wind facility,” stated a Nov. 8 email from Johnston. “At approximately 7:22 . . . Complete story »
Halkirk 2 wind facility shut down after turbine breaks
The soon-to-be-operational Halkirk 2 wind farm was shut down on Friday after a turbine broke. A Capital Power representative said a nacelle and rotor fell from one of the turbines at the Paintearth County facility at around 7:20 a.m. According to the Capital Power website, the turbines at the Halkirk 2 facility are the largest the company has installed to date – with blades 74 metres long. There were no injuries and no damage to public property. An area resident . . . Complete story »
Kneehill: Activists encouraged by pause in major wind farm development process
When Toronto-based mega-corporation Capstone Infrastructure puts a multi-million dollar Kneehill County wind farm development on hold, the temptation is to think of David and Goliath. As a Goliath, Capstone’s website describes the company as a developer, owner, and operator of clean and renewable energy projects, with 885 MW capacity in 35 wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and natural gas power facilities across North America. The most vocal opposition to the 350 MW Lone Pine Wind Farm wind project and transmission line near Torrington . . . Complete story »
Wind resistance: meet the Albertans protesting renewables in their backyards
This is part one of a two-part series about the opposition to wind energy in Kneehill County, Alta. Ron and Karin Armstrong’s immense yard in the middle of the Alberta Prairies is not without a bit of whimsy. Metal sculptures crafted by Ron are scattered about the acreage, including an old tractor refashioned into a dinosaur named Harvestosaurus. Their house overlooks a private airstrip used by the local bible school, which offers aviation programs. The property is perched atop of . . . Complete story »
Landowner warns about “blanket easements”
A local landowner recently shared some interesting information at an open house at Oyen, as well as on his video blog. Tyler Chiliak farms near Alsask and is described as a “straight shooter” by those who listen to his podcast. Numerous comments from his listeners followed his recent talk about industrial blanket easements; it was a topic of interest to local landowners. Tyler agreed to have the information shared in this article, which is much appreciated. Tyler Chiliak farms near . . . Complete story »
Copper thieves target wind turbines near Saskatchewan border
RCMP are looking for thieves who stole copper from wind turbines in eastern Alberta. Provost RCMP reported three “incidents of mischief” in which thieves damaged the turbines while removing copper over the last three days from the structures north of Hayter, Alta., a hamlet close to the Saskatchewan border located 262 kilometres southeast of Edmonton. Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call Provost RCMP at 780-753-2215, local police or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). Complete story »
Senior Alberta official — who pushed back on renewables pause — out as CEO of electricity grid operator
The Alberta Electric System Operator announced the CEO, Mike Law, will leave the organization. Law, who has been with the operator since 2009, had internally criticized the Alberta government’s renewable energy pause. Photo: Leah Hennel / The Narwhal The CEO and president of the Alberta Electric System Operator, Michael Law, will “leave the organization,” after a tumultuous year which had him pushing back on the Alberta government’s seven-month moratorium on new renewable energy development. Law had been with the operator, . . . Complete story »
