Up to 40 new turbines in South Dundas being considered by EDP Renewables

South Dundas is being targeted by EDP Renewables for significantly more wind generation.

The 30 megawatt South Branch Wind Farm, which is owned and operated by EDP Renewables consists of 10 wind turbines. 

Last week, South Branch project manager Ken Little and Tom LoTurco of EDPR, met with South Dundas council to talk about future plans within South Dundas.

Since the South Branch project, which was part of the Ontario government’s feed in tariff program, to bring wind power generation on line by signing 20 year, 13.5 cent per kilowatt hour, contracts with developers, things have changed.

A competitive procurement process is now in place, and Little says the new dynamic will be beneficial for both the industry and for consumers.

According to Little, wind generation is being pursued by the government because, with the refurbishment of the Bruce and Darlington nuclear plants and the planned shutdown of Pickering, “Ontario’s energy surplus will soon end.”

“Wind generation is cheap and low risk,” said Little. “Even with a growth scenario, there will still be an energy gap.”

EDP qualified to participate in the bid process and is eyeing an area east of the existing South Branch wind farm, towards Winchester Springs for a new project. EDP is assuming that about 50 to100 mW of capacity is available in the lines adjacent to South Branch. 

A project of that capacity would likely mean 20-30 new turbines, but could mean up to 40 turbines, depending on the size of the turbines used. 

If EDP pursues this project it will be registered and declared in August, and would be built about four years from the contract date.

According to Little, reliable wind, high electricity demand, available transmission capacity and significant landowner interest make this an attractive project for the company. 

Through the new procurement process, municipal support will be key, a point that Little and LoTurco stressed with municipal council. 

They also mentioned that with future wind projects, like South Branch, there will be a fund established, which generally pays about $1,000 per megawatt for the size of the project, back to the host community. They also said that they are willing to discuss road use agreements. The road use agreement for South Branch was $2.7 million. Like South Branch, this project would be fully funded by EDPR.

Little told council that they are already planning many opportunities for public open houses.

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