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Winds of change begin to howl on Wolfe Island |
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Canadian Hydro Developers, Inc., has announced the Wolfe Island Wind
Project began commissioning the first of its 86 wind turbines.
The $475 million facility,
which will be the second largest wind facility in Canada by megawatts
will double Canadian Hydro's operations. The project is on target to
begin commercial operations by the end of June, and some of the wind
turbines have started turning and generating electricity.
"Our
staff and contractors did an incredible job getting all the wind
turbines erected by mid-April," said Geoff Carnegie, Development
Manager of Canadian Hydro's Wind Division. "All the required
infrastructure and testing have been approved by the Independent
Electricity System Operator, Electrical Safety Authority, and Hydro One
Networks Inc. to make the energization of the Wolfe Island Transformer
Station possible last week."
Carnegie explained the first three
electrical circuits, representing 43 of the 86 wind turbines, are ready
for integration into the provincial electrical system and are expected
to be fully commissioned, generating electricity to the grid in May,
with the remaining three circuits to follow throughout May and June.
Once completed, the 197.8 MW facility is expected to generate
approximately 594,000 MWh of clean, renewable electricity annually.
"We're
excited to bring the Wolfe Island Wind Project online and continue our
contribution towards maintaining Wolfe Island as a vibrant, active
community," said Canadian Hydro CEO, John Keating. "We're committed to
being a responsible developer, a good neighbour, and environmental
steward."
Once the facility becomes operational, it will
generate reliable landowner and community income through royalties,
taxes, and the Township Amenities Agreement. The Amenities Agreement
formally establishes a good, long term working relationship between
Canadian Hydro and the Township of Frontenac Islands. The Amenities
Agreement will provide approximately $645,000 per year in additional
revenue that will allow the Township to add services and enhance
community infrastructure for the benefit of all ratepayers.
"This
revenue is in addition to property taxes paid to municipal and
provincial governments and royalties paid to participating landowners,"
said Carnegie. "All in, the estimated economic benefit, including
royalties, taxes, amenities agreement, and operating and maintenance
expenses, equates to over $3 million annually for decades to come."
www.canhydro.com
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