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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-07-06, Page 3Wednesday,July 6, 2005 Exeter Times–Advocate 3 Local residents receive info on proposed wind farm development By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF VARNA — Local resi- dents heard the details of a proposed wind farm development between Grand Bend and St. Joseph by Northland Power June 28 at a public meeting in Varna. On hand to discuss the project and answer ques- tions from Northland were project site manager Rick Martin, director of busi- ness development Gordon Potts and Don McKinnon from Dillon Consulting. Martin said Northland is a company involved in multiple energy technolo- gies, including biomass, wind, coal and oil but wind is becoming the major focus of the compa- ny. According to Martin, the company has several wind projects in development across Canada for a total of 2,000 megawatts of power including one on Manitoulin Island and the Bluewater project. Martin said the supply of Ontario power is insuffi- cient to meet the demand without a greater reliance on imports which are expensive and Ontario is not in control of. The Ontario government has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of up to 1,000 megawatts of power and proposals for the pro- ject are due by the middle of August. Potts said some of the factors for locating a wind farm development in addi- tion to strong winds are a site easily accessible by a good network of roads, an electrical infrastructure that can take the power and minimal development timelines. Martin said the Grand Bend development will be an 80 megawatt site with 48 turbines on 4,000 acres of private land. He said while Northland has enough land leased they can probably do the job, he added, "the more land the better." "Projects can be devel- oped to look nice or they can look cluttered," said Martin. If the project is selected, the land lease agreements will kick in. McKinnon said there are many approvals needed for the project to go ahead, including a munici- pal site plan, the depart- ment of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), possibly the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Transport Canada and the CRTC, "and if one isn't obtained, the project fails." According to McKinnon, much work has been done for the past year on study- ing the impact to birds, vegetation and fish habi- tats and the turbines will be sited to minimize effects and avoid sensitive areas. If the project is selected, McKinnon said the enviro- mental assessment will continue with the farm to be operational by 2007. He said past mortality rates for birds at other wind sites are 1.83 birds per turbine per year, which is a figure lower than other types of struc- tures. Newer model turbines are expected to be lower due to larger blades that turn slower. While all of the turbines will be east of Highway 21, McKinnon said the visual effect will be hard to mini- mize, "either you like the look or you don't." He added the potential noise from the wind farm is well known and subject to MOE guidelines. A buffer of 350-400 metres will be between all the turbines and perma- nent residences and McKinnon said at a dis- tance of 200 metres the noise level will be 63 deci- bels, which is the same as a person talking. Martin said "while not everyone can build a windfarm," Northland will work with local contrac- tors to maximize the amount of work for the community. He estimated $1 million of concrete would be needed as well as $200,000-$300,000 worth of gravel. Other benefits would include rentals of equip- ment worth between $100,000 and $200,000 plus lodgings and meals during construction. Two to four permanent staff would be employed at the site during the life of the project, which is esti- mated to be 20 years. Taxes generated by the site are estimated to be $96,000 a year. Martin said Northland "doesn't see the project as a negative on tourism," and Bluewater could be marketed as a "green community." Potts said Northland will be accountable in all phas- es through the life of the project after which "every- thing will be taken away except the concrete foun- dations." He added the taller the towers the further apart they can be and the majority of the power lines will be underground, "but if we don't have the rights to the land, we have to go over." A site map and the tur- bine layout will be made available to the public as part of the environmental assessment, Potts said, "but we aren't in a posi- tion to yet...we have to sat- isfy your concerns or we won't get approvals." Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson asked what level of confidence Northland has its project will be approved. Potts replied the compa- ny has a good track record and some advantages such as a good location and an inexpensive grid connec- tion. But a total of 2,000/3,000 megawatts will be bid by competing companies and the gov- ernment has the right to After the meeting, take any number from the Dowson said he felt it was full 1,000 megawatts a good presentation "and down to zero. very open. LAST CHANCE... • • • FINAL 3 DAYS • • • July 7th, 8th e 9am-6pm July 9th e gam -spm We Are Closing Our Doors For Good All Remaining Stock Now 60-80% OFF All Sales - Cash Only • No Debit, Credit Card or Cheque July 9th, 2pm-5pm - Make an Offer No Reasonable Offer Refused Everything Must Be Sold - Including Fixtures & Displays LADIES WEAR s 151 Queen St. ST. 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