Lakeshore Advance, 2013-07-24, Page 2424 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, July 24, 2013
ADVERTISEMENT
Cord Potts
Director Business Development
and Project Manager
Grand Bend Wind Farm for
Northland Power Inc.
In response to
public s consultation,
we will bury all
thirty kilometers of
235kV transmission
lines for the Grand
Bend Wind Farm.
Underground Transmission Lines
A North American First
You asked, we listened
Public consultation is an important and required part of the
Renewable Energy Approval (REA) process for all renewable
energy projects in Ontario. This process provides an opportunity
to hear from local residents and stakeholders, and to answer
questions and address concerns. During our first public
consultations, held in April 2012, we explained that one of the
project elements we were investigating was the best direction
and distance for running the transmission lines that will carry the
power generated by the wind turbines into Ontario's energy grid.
Originally, our plan was to build overhead lines, either running
north or south.
Our last public meeting was held at the Seaforth Community
Centre in the Municipality of Huron East on Tuesday, December
4th, 2012. Prior to this second public consultation, in response
to inquiries from local residents, councillors and municipal staff
approached Northland Power to request that we investigate the
prospect of burying the transmission lines.
We soon realized an undertaking of this size would be a first
in Ontario and, we believe, in all of North America. However,
public sentiment was clear — a strong majority of area residents
communicated their preference for burying the transmission
lines. We did our homework and examined all the options. As a
result, I'm very pleased to let you know that we will be burying
all thirty kilometers of 23okV transmission lines for the Grand
Bend Wind Farm.
What do transmission lines do?
According to the Independent Electricity System Operator
(IESO), the entity responsible for coordinating the delivery of
more than 141, 000, 000 MW -hours of electricity per year to
Ontarians, there are over 3o, 000 kilometres of transmission
lines across our province which carry electricity to consumers
and utilities for distribution.
Intelligent energy for a greener planet
by Gord Potts
The IESO "directs the flow of electricity over these lines, while
the transmission companies are responsible for their operation
and maintenance. The voltage and frequency of electricity
travelling along these lines is carefully monitored to ensure safety
and reliability."' Of the five transmission companies operating
within Ontario, the Grand Bend Wind Farm is working with
Hydro One to deliver electricity through these transmission lines
to the residents of Bluewater and South Huron.
Groundbreaking
While we are not the first company to bury transmission lines,
we are the first to bury this length of transmission lines. The
cost of burying these lines is higher than placing them on poles
above -ground; however, maintenance costs over the life of the
project for buried lines are forecasted to be lower. It will also
minimize obstructions for any area residents operating private
airstrips, and will be more aesthetically pleasing for residents.
The Grand Bend Wind Farm plans to bury our transmission lines
on municipal road allowances, which minimizes any disruption
to private property. We are proud of this initiative and thankful
for the public feedback and constructive assistance from all levels
of government and their agencies in support of this — literally —
groundbreaking initiative!
Next Steps
The project continues to advance through permitting;
we are currently completing the Ontario Energy Board's
(OEB) leave to construct process, and have begun detailed
engineering in preparation for construction. As always, please
visit the website to learn more, or email me at grandbend@
northlandpower.ea with any questions.
r http://www.ieso.ca/imoweb/sia•Sh.ued/p wer sysrem..rsp
Northland Power is an Ontario -based company with over zs years experience developing,
NORTHLAND
owning and operating facilities that produce and sell clean and green energy POWER