It could be well into 2016 before North Kent residents know what, if any, wind turbines will be approved for construction in what will likely be the final project of its kind in the municipality.
Bruce McAllister, director of planning services for Chatham-Kent, said a second public meeting will be held later this year before the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) of Ontario.
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If IESO awards a contract, it will then require a Renewable Energy Approval from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) for the project to move ahead.
“We’re looking at several months before that process could be completed,” he said.
Chatham Kent council has supported the Otter Creek Wind Farm Project backed by Renewal Energy Systems and Boralex Inc. and another by SWEB Development for a three-site development slated for the Meadowvale, Duart and Clachan areas.
It also supported the North Kent Wind project Phase 2 by Pattern Renewable Holdings and Samsung Renewable Energy, the Kruger Energy Optima Wind Project and the Romney Wind Energy Centre by EDF EN.
The five projects total 100 turbines, however, there are only 60 to 100 megawatts available in the area west of London.
Each turbine delivers two to three megawatts of power annually.
