Lakeshore Advance, 2013-09-18, Page 2424 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, September 18, 2013
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Wind Farm
nity News
Gord Potts
Director Business Development
and Project Manager
Grand Bend Wind Farm for
Northland Power Inc.
On August 28th,
2013 the MOE
deemed Northland
Power's REA for the
Grand Bend Wind
Farm complete.
•
http: //grandbend.northlandpower.ca
Update on the Renewable
Energy Application Process
We are pleased to share with you that on August 28th, 2013 the
Ministry of the Environment (MOE) deemed Northland Power's
Renewable Energy Application (REA) for the Grand Bend Wind
Farm complete.
The Ontario government has set up a robust and rigorous
approval process for renewable energy projects such as the one
proposed here in Grand Bend. The process ensures that potential
environmental impacts are considered upfront and that public
consultation is conducted.
The REA process was developed to facilitate the growth of renewable
energy sources by streamlining the approvals process for energy
developers, while ensuring that all developers comply with Ontario's
stringent environmental legislation.
REA Requirements
There are numerous requirements that must be satisfied
before a permit is issued.
The first project milestone is generally a power purchase contract.
Before construction, most developers of renewable energy projects
in Ontario require a Tong -term agreement with the Ontario Power
Authority (OPA) for the purchase of the generated electricity. Since
the spring of 2010, the OPA has entered into 20 -year contracts
with renewable energy developers under the FIT Program.
Once the power purchase contract has been secured, developers will
begin the REA process. There are five key steps to obtaining an REA:
a Pre -submission work: For large wind facilities like Grand
Bend, there are numerous mandatory studies and assessments
that must be completed. These include assessments of noise,
adjacent property uses and setback requirements. There are
also extensive studies examining natural heritage resources
(including land, water and wetland systems), potential wildlife
impacts and cultural heritage/historical use.
2 Public consultation on the extensive study work and
project development activities including Public Information
Centres (PIC).
Intelligent energy for a greener planet
by Gord Potts
3 Complete submission: the applicant provides all of the required
information for provincial ministry approvals, including an REA
application form, and supporting materials/reports that are
required by the MOE, including permit applications to other
ministries.
4 Public/Agency review period and published notice on the
MOE Environmental Registry.
s MOE decision.
The REA process is interactive, thorough and transparent.
Public consultation is a significant element of this process, and
information related to an REA application must be made available
to all interested parties through formal notices, PICs and online.
Next Steps
The documents are available for review for a 45 -day period which
commenced on August 28, 2013. You can access them here: http://
www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.doThot
iceld=MTIwNDQo£rstatusld=MTgwMjcsfrlanguage=en
Following consideration of all the relevant information provided
and all the public comments received, the MOE will have the
option to approve, approve with conditions, or refuse approval of
the REA. If approval is granted, the applicant must then obtain
a number of additional approvals and permits required to move
forward with the project. This includes permits and approvals from
municipalities, the provincial Ministries of Natural Resources and
Transportation, the Independent Electricity System Operator and
others. A notice to proceed from the OPA under the FIT contract is
also required as well as any additional federal requirements.
We will keep you apprised of the process outcome. In the meantime,
I am always available at grandbendonorthlandpower.ca to answer
your questions.
Northland Power is an Ontario -based company with over as years experience developing,
owning and operating facilities that produce and sell clean and green energy
NORTHLAND