Wal-Mart wants Burlington turbine

Wal-Mart Canada Wind Turbines advance urban renewable energy in Burlington and Milton, with small low-wind turbines, solar integration, quiet 40-59 dB operation, Ministry of Environment review, and on-site power via underground cable.

Wal-Mart Canada wants to install a 20 kilowatt, 80-foot-high wind turbine this fall at its store on Fairview Street.

The giant retailer has advertised required notice of an application to the Ministry of Environment for the turbine, a move occurring as offshore wind in Ontario remains under review.

Burlington and Milton are the first Canadian municipalities in the country where Wal-Mart has proposed wind turbines, budgeting $2 million for the turbines, as well as a solar project at a yet-to-be-announced store.

“In 2005, globally we announced three long-term sustainability goals: one is to generate zero waste, the second is to sell products that sustain the environment and people, and the third is to be supplied 100 per cent by renewable energies, developments that paralleled the province's Samsung renewable deal ambitions at the time,” said Karin Campbell, Wal-Mart Canada’s corporate affairs manager. “This project fits into the third goal and we’re hoping this will serve as a test to look at the viability and commercialization of this technology for us down the road.”

A draft project description report prepared by Wal-Mart for the ministry indicates the turbine would be built in the parking lot on the north side of the store, reflecting procurement models similar to the Boralex supply agreement seen in Quebec.

Energy created by the structure would be used directly by the Fairview store, transferred from the turbine by underground cable, rather than requiring the sort of transmission line hearing processes used for interties.

Wind Power Media Inc., a Canadian company, would build the Burlington and Milton turbines, as companies like TransAlta in Ontario track market changes as well.

The report says the blade length is 6.3 meters, the swept area is 116.6 meters. The blades will be made of fiberglass and it will have quiet operation.

“The project will operate year round and will generate electricity when the wind is above 2.5 meters per second,” the report says. “The amount of power generated will depend on the daily weather conditions and the wind resources available.”

Wal-Mart says that the turbine “may result in a minor increase to the normal environmental sound levels.” However, it outlines in the report that no specific or potential negative environmental effects have been identified.

Campbell said that Wal-Mart believes the turbine will have minimal impact on the surrounding area.

“This is an urban, low-wind speed wind turbine it’s at the back of the Burlington property near the railway tracks and it is not near residential. It is also 40 to 59 decibels, which is roughly the same as noise from traffic, so there shouldn’t be any concern at the local level,” she said.

“Sound power measurement has been established and reviewed based on the recommendations from various small turbine suppliers,” the report reads. “Although small wind turbines emit some minimal sound power we expect no negative sound or noise impact on the community on or adjacent to the project site.”

Wal-Mart says that other permits, licenses and authorizations besides ministry approval may be required before the turbine is installed. Included in that list is a building permit from the city.

Ward 2 Councillor Peter Thoem said he was unaware of the proposal when contacted, noting that in other municipalities caution over utility sale has shaped debate. He said he had no comment on the issue.

Mayor Cam Jackson also said he didn’t know about the turbine until he saw the notice in The Burlington Post. He said he hopes that Wal-Mart includes significant public notification and consultation, as seen in Toronto energy news reporting on similar projects, as it moves forward with the proposed project.

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