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Wind Power News: British Columbia
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission to provide information about industrial wind energy development to readers seeking such information. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the credited organizations or individuals 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.
Leaders in northeast B.C. push back against province’s plan to fast track new wind farms
Local governments in northeastern B.C. are voicing concerns around the province’s push to fast track several new wind farms in the region. Developers have secured power purchase agreements for five new wind farms between Fort St. John and Dawson Creek since B.C. Hydro put out two calls for power in 2024 and 2025. Those projects are now going through the B.C. Energy Regulator (BCER) as part of a new approval process that skips lengthy environmental reviews. Construction on the first . . . Complete story »
Rumours confirmed: Details of proposed wind farm south of Taylor revealed
The regional district met with a delegation for a new 200 megawatt wind energy project being developed between Taylor and Dawson Creek. During the November 20th meeting of the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) board of directors, a delegation from Renewable Energy Systems (RES) Canada detailed the proposed Sweetwater Wind Project. Jon Cooper, a project development manager, explained the project was being developed for submission to the 2025 BC Hydro call for power, which opens in January. The call requires . . . Complete story »
B.C. wildlife group concerned about risk to rainbow trout from wind farm project
Proposed legislation to exempt wind farm projects from environmental assessments in B.C. is cause for concern, according to a wildlife group. A B.C. wildlife non-profit is concerned new government exemptions on wind projects from environmental review processes could favour speed over the protection of rainbow trout as plans ramp up for a new wind farm in the Interior. B.C. Hydro recently awarded a contract to Westbank First Nation and Innergex Renewable Energy for the K2 Wind project in the Pennask . . . Complete story »
More wind turbines could be coming to the Pennask Mountain area; K2 Project will be exempt from environmental assessment
More wind turbines could be coming to Pennask Mountain in the coming years, after BC Hydro signed a 30-year power purchase agreement for several proposed wind farm projects earlier this month. The BC government announced in early December that it had selected nine proposed wind energy projects following its earlier call for power-generation projects. One of the selected projects is the K2 Wind Power project which is proposed to be built on Westbank First Nation land on Pennask Mountain. Westbank . . . Complete story »
B.C. exempts 9 new wind projects from environmental review
British Columbia has given the green light to nine wind energy projects that it says will boost the province’s hydroelectric grid by eight percent a year, potentially providing almost 5,000 gigawatt hours of energy annually, or enough to power 500,000 homes. That number is roughly equivalent to the power projected to be generated by the Site C dam, which recently started feeding power into B.C.’s electrical grid at a construction cost of $16 billion. B.C. Hydro, the province’s Crown utility, . . . Complete story »
‘Not looking good’: Wind turbines a threat to Canadian bat populations
A species of bats could have their numbers cut in half by 2028 if they’re not protected immediately, says a bat expert. Dr. Cori Lausen comment comes after the Commitee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada released a an assessment May 10 regarding three species of bats: the eastern red, hoary and silver-haired.All three bat species have declined dramatically in recent years and the committee assessed each of them as “endangered.” The three species fly at night and . . . Complete story »
B.C. company looks to mountains north of Lillooet for future wind farms
A B.C. company is looking at two remote mountains in the Interior for future wind farm projects. The numbered company, 1334689 B.C. Ltd, plans to explore China Head Mountain and Black Dome Mountain, which are northwest of Clinton in the Thompson Nicola Regional District. The potential location for the turbines is on unsurveyed Crown land and the project has several steps to pass before the company gets a green light, according to a report to the regional district board. While . . . Complete story »
The unintended consequences of ‘clean and green’
We all go to the store to purchase things – groceries, clothing, tools or the latest electronic gadget. During the global pandemic, an increasing share of shopping has shifted online. A few clicks and an item soon arrives at our doorstep. We also often demand and receive services like education and medical care remotely these days. And natural gas and electricity almost invisibly are delivered through pipes and lines to heat and power our homes. However, we rarely ask where these . . . Complete story »
District says no to erecting wind turbine blade
The District of Port Hardy will not be taking part in the erection of a wind turbine blade as a tribute to the Cape Scott wind farm. The Operational Services Committee had a meeting with project manager Rick Milligan, with the following minutes being listed: Milligan advised the blade has been brought to Port Hardy, the transportation provided by Vestas. The 50 meter long blade was damaged at the site, never installed and is now undergoing minor repairs. Milligan advised . . . Complete story »
Solar, wind power costly and unreliable
Re: Site C B.C. voters are misinformed concerning solar and wind-generated power. Because B.C. can generate clean hydro power, duplicating hydro power generation with solar and wind power generation is an absurd idea. It makes no environmental or economic sense to switch off hydro generation, to instead turn on high-priced solar and wind power. BC Hydro power generation is capable of supplying continuous reliable electricity to homes and industry at an affordable cost. Reliable and affordable means the kitchen range, . . . Complete story »
