Amid the growing concern of the safety of well water for residents in the North Kent One wind farm project area and Dover township, owners of the project announced Monday the project is now in operation mode.
Samsung Renewable Energy Inc. and Pattern Energy Group LP announced Monday that North Kent Wind, a 100-megawatt (MW) wind power facility located in Chatham-Kent, has completed construction and is fully operational.
The release said the North Kent Wind project, the sixth completed by Samsung and Pattern, is utilizing 34 Siemens Gamesa 3.2 MW wind turbines with towers and blades that were made in Ontario. During the peak of construction activity, North Kent Wind employed approximately 175 skilled workers, all of whom were from Ontario, with the majority from the local area.
The facility has approximately 10 permanent employees for ongoing operations and maintenance, in addition to utilizing a number of local contractors.
Samsung and Pattern Development, as part of their commitment to make a positive impact in project area communities, are providing $4 million to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent as a community benefit contribution to be used at the sole discretion of Municipal council, the release said.
In addition, the facility is estimated to generate approximately $5 million in tax revenue over 20 years. In total, North Kent Wind will inject more than $40 million of direct spending into the local economy over 20 years, including taxes, community benefits, landowner payments, and facility spending.
The municipality also holds a 15 per cent equity interest in North Kent Wind through its affiliate Entegrus Renewable Energy Inc. Bkejwanong First Nation, also known as Walpole Island First Nation, also holds a 15 per cent equity interest in North Kent Wind
