In a current weblog (http://ow.ly/P56j50MJf8j) we regarded on the curiosity of First Nations in hydrogen developments. Now to try First Nations and wind farms.
Wind power is slowly rising throughout Canada. There are greater than 6,000 turbine towers, and the Canada Vitality Regulator says wind farms now produce about 5 per cent of our nationwide electrical energy era.
First Nations have been enjoying a supportive half — and in some circumstances launching partnerships.
A lot of the 318 wind amenities in Canada are in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. Ten of the 318 have been put in in 2022, with seven of these in Alberta. And 39 extra onshore and offshore wind energy initiatives are deliberate for the following 10 years, with a complete worth of $16 billion.
Wind power throughout Canada grew by 7.1% (1 gigawatt) in 2022, to a brand new whole of greater than 15 gigawatts of “put in capability.”
In concept, 15 GW of energy is sufficient to energy one thing like 18 million properties.
However be cautious while you examine what number of properties a wind farm can energy. The numbers assume the wind farm is working at full capability. However Saskatchewan’s Sask Energy utility factors out: “Wind generators don’t work nicely when there’s no wind, an excessive amount of wind (for security causes) or when it’s too chilly.” Or, it provides, on sizzling days, both.
So wind farms don’t generate full capability always. Within the U.S., they produce on common 42% of their full on-paper capability. However typically they could crank out solely 25-30% of their capability.
ALBERTA
Alberta has 32 wind farms, and extra are within the works.
Three notable wind initiatives in Alberta have 25% Indigenous fairness.
- Ontario-based Potentia Renewables Inc. is constructing the 113-megawatt (MW) Stirling Wind challenge close to Lethbridge, in partnership with the Paul First Nation. It’s trying ahead to completion with 23 generators late this 12 months.
- Capstone Infrastructure Corp. is constructing the 48-MW Buffalo Atlee wind farm, with 13 generators, within the Brooks area. It expects turbine deliveries to start in July. Its companion is the Sawridge First Nation.
- EDF Renewables Canada partnered with the Kainai First Nation to construct the 202-MW Cypress Wind Energy challenge close to Medication Hat. It went into operation in 2022 with 48 generators
These three wind initiatives additionally embody alternatives for skills-training, jobs, and schooling for First Nations members.
SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatchewan already has 9 wind farms. And Renewable Vitality Techniques is partnering with the Cowessess First Nation on the proposed 200-megawatt Bekevar wind challenge close to Kipling, in southeastern Saskatchewan. It might have 35 – 40 generators and will energy greater than 90,000 Saskatchewan properties.
MANITOBA
Manitoba’s authorities lists two wind farms, St. Joseph (which may at full capability produce sufficient energy for 50,000 properties) and St. Léon (which may provide the power wants of over 40,000 properties). Neither mentions any First Nations involvement.
ONTARIO
It’s laborious to learn the way many wind farms there are in Ontario. One supply says 93. And one other says Ontario has 2,663 wind generators.
We do know that Ontario has six of Canada’s 10 largest wind farms and Ontario will get some 7.6% of its electrical energy from wind generators.
Ontario wind farms with First Nations involvement vary from a tiny pioneer to the most important First Nation wind-energy partnership in Canada.
The tiny pioneer? The M’Chigeeng First Nations’ Mom Earth Renewable Vitality challenge (MERE) on Manitoulin Island. The primary independently Indigenous-owned wind farm in Ontario, it began up in 2012 with two 2-megawatt (MW) generators.
MERE went on to companion 50-50 in Northland Energy’s McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm challenge on Manitoulin Island. It opened in 2014 with 60 MW capability.
And the No. 1 First Nation wind partnership in Canada is the Henvey Inlet Wind operation in Ontario.
The Henvey Inlet First Nation partnered with Sample Canada to construct and function the 300-MW Henvey Inlet Wind web site and its transmission line. It’s on reserve land on the northeast shore of Georgian Bay, some 90km south of Sudbury.
It has 87 generators, went into operation in 2019, and will at full capability produce sufficient energy for 100,000 properties,
QUEBEC
In Quebec, 43 wind farms have round 4 GW of capability, and Hydro-Québec is on the lookout for extra.
Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula has among the strongest sustained winds in Canada and three Mi’gmaq communities are producing income by means of their Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n wind farm. (The title means “Massive Wind” in Mi’gmaq.) Accomplished in 2016, it has 47 generators, with put in capability of 150 MW, and is predicted to generate round $200 million for the three communities over 20 years.
A partnership of Boralex and two Indigenous communities are working towards the 200-MW Apuiat wind farm within the Côte-Nord area of Quebec close to Port Cartier on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. They give the impression of being to start development this 12 months and begin up in late 2024.
NEW BRUNSWICK
New Brunswick has seven wind farms. Amongst them is the Wocawson Vitality Challenge, close to Sussex NB, constructed by the Neqotkuk First Nation. It has 5 generators and put in capability of 20 MW.
The Neqotkuk Nation can also be partnering with Pure Forces Growth to construct the Burchill Wind challenge, 15 km southwest of Saint John. It should have 10 generators and capability of 42 MW and ought to be in operation quickly.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Breezy PEI has eight wind farms, which produce about 25 p.c of the province’s electrical energy. The Lennox Island First Nation now could be engaged on plans for a wind farm with seven generators.
NOVA SCOTIA
Nova Scotia now has 4 wind farms and the provincial authorities needs 5 extra in operation by 2025.
The 5 are the proposed Benjamins Mill Wind Farm during which the province’s 13 Mi’kmaw communities are companions; the Ellershouse III Wind Farm, being constructed by a three way partnership of Potentia Renewables and Annapolis Valley First Nation; the Higgins Mountain Wind Farm with the Sipekne’katik Nation as a companion; the Sipekne’katik Nation’s Wedgeport Wind Farm; and the Weavers Mountain Wind farm during which the Glooscap First Nation is a companion.
And the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq in Nova Scotia is exploring the potential for offshore wind farms.
NEWFOUNDLAND and LABRADOR
Final April, the NL authorities lifted a longtime ban on wind improvement, and final July requested for “nomination submissions” for potential wind-energy initiatives. It quickly received 31 of them. It then referred to as for bids, with a deadline developing on March 3 this 12 months.
And Challenge Nujio’qonik in NL proposes to generate electrical energy from wind to energy manufacturing of hydrogen/ammonia. The Qalipu First Nation goals to be a central participant in Challenge Nujio’qonik.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Again in BC, we listed wind-power initiatives (some with First Nations involvement) in an earlier weblog at http://ow.ly/i50Q50MJBEq
(Observe: The record of wind farms above just isn’t complete.)
(Posted right here 08 February 2023)
