Wedgeport wind turbine to proceed to next step

subscribe

The next step for a community wind turbine project in Wedgeport will be to measure wind speeds and perform more electrical analysis, says Daniel Roscoe, chief operating officer for Scotian WindFields Inc.

“The proposed capacity of the turbine we expect to put on site is just under two mega­watts,” he said.

The tower is projected to be approximately 80 metres high, with each blade measuring about 45 metres in length.

The turbine will produce enough electricity to power 500-600 homes, and 100 per cent of the energy will be consumed in the Yarmouth/Wedgeport region.

Scotian WindFields and its partners were amongst others approved recently for Community-Feed-in Tariff ComFIT approvals for renewable energy projects.

Other approved projects are located in Spiddle Hill, Bayswater, Cheticamp and North Preston. These projects are now able to proceed to the next stage of development.

The Wedgeport project is located between Upper Wedgeport and Little River Harbour, just off Black Pond Road.

Scotian WindFields is in the early stages of the multi-year proj­ect and is planning to collect data about the nature of the wind regime using a meteorological tower on the site. The study will provide information about the characteristics of the wind and properly site the turbine.

The nearest large wind turbines to Wedge­port are located at Pubnico Point Wind Farm, near Lower West Pubnico. These tur­bines are about the same height and size as the turbine that Scotian WindFields intends to install near Wedgeport and have been in operation since 2005.

More than 800 Nova Scotian families share in ownership of Scotian WindFields. The company has committed to donate one per cent of the revenue from each project to the surrounding com­munity for its chosen community activity or cause. This dividend could be as much as $10,000 annually and could be used for school programs, local scholarships, com­munity recreation programs or facilities. The use of proceeds is up to the com­munity to decide.

The provincial government has established clear targets for clean energy: 25 per cent of electricity is to be renewable by 2015, with a goal of 40 per cent by 2050.

The ComFIT program is de­signed to help the province meet that goal. In order for projects to be eligible, at least 25 citizens from the county in which the turbine will be installed must invest in it.

The province expects 100 megawatts to be produced through the ComFIT, which provides eligible groups an established price per kilowatt-hour for projects producing electricity from renewable resources such as wind, biomass, in-stream tidal and run-of-the-river tidal developments.

Eligible groups include municipalities, First Nations, co-operatives, universities, community economic development funds and not-for-profit groups.

Roscoe says public meetings about the Wedgeport project will be held in the near future and that it is likely the turbine will be installed in 2013.

Related News

understanding-risks-of-ev-fires-in-helene-flooding

Understanding the Risks of EV Fires in Helene Flooding

MIAMI - As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, concerns about electric vehicle (EV) safety in flood-prone areas have come to the forefront. Recent warnings from officials regarding the risks of electric vehicles catching fire due to flooding from Hurricane Idalia underscore the need for heightened awareness and preparedness among consumers and emergency responders.

The alarming incidents of EVs igniting after being submerged in floodwaters have raised critical questions about the safety of these vehicles during severe weather conditions. While electric vehicles are often touted for their environmental benefits and lower emissions, it is crucial…

READ MORE

Share of coal in UK's electricity system falls to record lows

READ MORE

IESO

Key Ontario power system staff may end up locked down at work sites due to COVID-19, operator says

READ MORE

powerline worker

Global push needed to ensure "clean, affordable and sustainable electricity" for all

READ MORE

power tower

Planning for Toronto?s Growing Electricity Needs

READ MORE