Two approximately $60-million wind farm projects are being proposed for New Brunswick and it’s expected the sites could each power as many as 6400 households a year.
It’s a joint proposal from three municipal utilities: Perth Andover Electric Light Commission, Edmundston Energy and Saint John Energy in collaboration with the city of Saint John described as the first of its kind in New Brunswick.
The wind farms would have five turbines each and be located in South Oromocto and Chapmanville, sites selected for, among other things, their isolation away from any homes. They are called the Charlotte County Community Wind Farm and Chapman Community Wind Farm and both are 20 megawatt projects.
Saint John Energy CEO Ray Robinson says their industry is going through some dramatic changes:
“We have to challenge our current model, our current structure and try to reposition ourselves for sustainability going into the future,” says Robinson.
“There is going to be much more renewable generation, consumers are going to continue to make wise choices for themselves, and there is going to have to be much more renewables put onto the grid to make sure we are doing our part for reducing the effects of climate change, etc.”
When it comes to the time frame and the process, that is under the direct control of NB Power according to Robinson, who tells us that he is unable to say more than that.
The municipal utilities have partnered with Valeco Energie Quebec which is described as a company that develops and operates renewable energy plants.
The wind farms could be up and running as early as December 31, 2020.
