Canada - Company wins contract to supply wind energy to Nova Scotia Power

Wind Prospects Inc., a Canadian subsidiary of U.K.-based Wind Prospects Group, has recently been awarded a contract to supply electricity to Nova Scotia Power. This will allow the utility to meet government’s mandated requirement to have 25 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2015.

"This is our first project in Nova Scotia," said Austin Hughes, Wind Prospects’ development manager, in Halifax on Friday. "We could see there was potential and growth for wind energy in North America. We see this project as the first of many projects . . . we are looking to develop in the province."

In total, 20 bids were received by Nova Scotia Power in response to its recent call for bids, with only 10 contracts being awarded to smaller, community wind developments. Hughes said the company has over 20 years’ experience in the wind generation business around the world, with wind farm projects in Europe, Asia Pacific and North America.

Despite the turbulent economic times, Hughes is "very confident" the Fairmont project, six kilometres north of the town of Antigonish, will proceed and should be in production by the middle of 2012."I certainly think that our track record and wealth of experience is extremely difficult to beat," said Hughes. The Fairmont project will have two wind turbines and generate four megawatts of electricity. It is estimated to cost about $8 million.

Hughes said his attention will be focused on holding the first public meeting within the next six to eight weeks, setting up a website, conducting an environmental assessment and running a noise-impact assessment. He said the company has yet to purchase the turbines but has signed an option to lease the land from two landowners. This will be the third wind project on the books for Antigonish County.

The county approved the $12-million Maryvale wind project last year, which was approved without any opposition. The project, which started last fall, is owned by Maryvale Wind Energy LP and has four Dutch-built Vensys turbines, each producing 1.5 megawatts of power. The county is in the process of reviewing Shear Wind’s proposed $170-million wind park, with its 14 turbines, that will straddle Pictou and Antigonish counties, said John Bain, director of planning for Antigonish County.

"That’s significant over the last little while," said Bain. Wind Prospects will have to apply to the municipality to have the area rezoned for the turbines. Municipal bylaws stipulate wind turbines must be located one kilometre from any residence. "I would say the bylaw is supportive of wind turbine development so long as it meets these setback requirements, and council’s feeling for making them go through a rezoning (process) is they want as much public input as possible," said Bain. Hughes said the two turbines will be located in a rural setting with a small pocket of houses and will be at least one kilometre from the nearest residence.

For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net