Wind Power News: Prince Edward Island
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
Repairs set to begin on turbine at Eastern Kings Wind Farm
Repairs are about to get underway on a wind turbine at the Eastern Kings Wind Farm, as officials try to determine the exact cause of the damage that took place in the days following a strong windstorm in November. “We really don’t know what happened. It was a catastrophic failure,” said Heather MacLeod, manager of energy assets with the PEI Energy Corporation. “Two blades came down. One was cracked … we’ll have to wait for the experts to get here . . . Complete story »
New location on list for P.E.I.’s latest wind farm
The P.E.I. Energy Corporation has started environmental assessments at three possible sites for a new 30-megawatt wind farm, including a location not on the original list. The three sites now being considered for the $60 million project are Eastern Kings, Irishtown in central P.E.I. and Skinners Pond in the western part of the province. “We had erected a meteorological tower at Rock Barra and early data from the wind was showing the winds weren’t as strong as we had expected,” . . . Complete story »
Eastern P.E.I. wind farm project studying 3 possible locations
A delayed wind farm project in Eastern Kings, P.E.I., is moving forward with the testing of three new possible sites for construction. The P.E.I. Energy Corporation initially planned to build a 30-megawatt development at East Point by 2019. However, a municipal bylaw change last fall in Eastern Kings that required a two-kilometre setback from the shore meant the corporation had to change its plans. Heather MacLeod, the manager of energy assets for the corporation, said the setback limits development options. . . . Complete story »
Answers blowing in the wind
Recent news tells us our electricity bills in the City of Summerside, will increase 2.5 per cent this year, keeping in line with Maritime Electric. There is something very wrong with this picture. Years ago when this windmill project was set up, with our previous mayor and council, the residents were led to believe this investment would decrease our utility bills. There has never been a decrease, since this project was completed. Prior to our budget 2018-2019 is passed, Mayor . . . Complete story »
New P.E.I. wind farm delayed; New bylaw prompts more wind regime tests, says P.E.I. Energy Corporation
The P.E.I. Energy Corporation is pushing back its new wind farm project to 2020. Initially, the province had hoped to build the 30-megawatt development at East Point by 2019. But Heather MacLeod, the manager of energy assets for P.E.I. Energy Corporation, told CBC News a bylaw change in the Eastern Kings municipality has reduced the size of the area where turbines can be constructed. MacLeod said they’re retesting the wind regime within the smaller area at East Point, and also . . . Complete story »
A rightful place at table: Eastern Kings receives ultimatum on construction of new wind farm
Most recently, The P.E.I. Energy Corporation (PEIEC) gave Eastern Kings a take it or leave it proposition on a new wind farm. Imagine how long a proposal would last if a crown corporation put a gun to Charlottetown with a proposal with no room for discussion? PEIEC is good at its singular mandate to get the biggest turbine in the windiest location. However, there are good reasons for and against wind farms as there is good and bad community development. . . . Complete story »
P.E.I. wind farm brings in special scaffolding to repair turbine blade
If you’re afraid of heights, then clinging to the side of an 80-metre wind turbine tower is likely not the job for you. The Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICan) recently discovered it had a problem inside one of the turbine blades at its wind farm in Norway, P.E.I. The turbines – the tallest structures in the area, are tempting targets for lightning strikes. To prevent damage, each blade has a lightning protection cable inside that runs from the tip of . . . Complete story »
Eastern Kings debates new wind farm
The P.E.I. Energy Corporation held the first of a series of public meetings Thursday night in eastern Kings, their top pick for a new wind farm site. The meeting was held to give local residents information on the wind energy expansion project, based on the provincial government’s 10-year energy strategy announced in March. The $60 million project will develop a new 30-megawatt wind farm on P.E.I. by 2019, and according to project consultant Carl Brothers, will be a big boost . . . Complete story »
Wanted: Site for P.E.I.’s next wind farm
The P.E.I. Energy Corporation will hold public meetings this summer with residents in four Island communities to find out if they want to be a part of the next expansion in wind energy. There are two wind farms proposed as part of the province’s new energy strategy, said CEO Kim Horrelt. The first is a 30-megawatt farm to be up and running in 2019. Initial site evaluations, including bird and bat monitoring and other environmental assessments, can take up to . . . Complete story »
Summerside seeking proposals for additional 16 megawatts of electricity
The four wind turbines that have become emblematic of the City of Summerside are getting some company. The city is looking to generate another 16 megawatts of electricity locally to feed current and future demands of its municipally-owned power utility. Council passed a motion Monday approving a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a company to provide the power. Mayor Bill Martin said this is an exciting development for the community’s future. “This is essentially saying to the world that we’re . . . Complete story »
