Capstone seeks public consultations
A new 200 mW wind farm is in the early stages of planning for parts of Chatham-Kent.
Capstone Infrastructure recently sent residents in portions of East and South Kent letters notifying them of plans to possibly develop the project in portions of the former Harwich and Howard Townships.
The area in question is essentially bordered on the west by Communication Road, the east by Duart Road, the north by Magnavilla Line and the south with Reeders Line.
Municipal officials know very little about the project at the moment.
Stuart McFadden, head of economic development for the municipality, said C-K officials have had little more than “initial conversations” with Capstone at this point.
“Preliminary discussion. That’s all we have had,” he said. “They’ll have to come to us at some point in time when they’re looking for municipal support. It has to go to council.”
Capstone, in its announcement, said it is planning to “undertake large-scale resource acquisition to ensure sufficient (electricity) supply will be available into the 2030s and beyond.”
Company officials stressed the project is in its initial phase of development, and wish to speak to members of the community before approaching the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to obtain a contract and prior to seeking permit approvals for the project.
Capstone representative Megan Hunter said the company at this point is looking to start conversations.
“This is not an approved project. We are in the early development stages for this project. We’re just starting to initiate public consultation,” she said. “We want feedback from folks.”
To that extent, Capstone is holding an open house on June 26 at Willow Ridge Golf & Country Club in Blenheim. Drop-in sessions are set for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In terms of number of turbines, Hunter said Capstone has not nailed down a figure as of yet, but she estimated it would be between 35 and 40 turbines to produce the targeted 200 mW.
“The technology has advanced and improved to the point turbines can put out up to 5.2 mW each. We’re able to produce much more electricity with a smaller footprint and fewer turbines,” she said.
Hunter said the IESO has identified a “pretty major supply and capacity gap” for electricity needs over the next decade or so, due to growth and the electrification of transportation.
Capstone is looking at Chatham-Kent because of its location to hydro infrastructure, the fact the wind consistently blows in southwestern Ontario, and the growing demand in the region, Hunter said.
Last July, Chatham-Kent council opted to not be named an unwilling host community for future wind turbine projects. In an 11-3 vote, councillors chose to leave the door open rather than join 155 other Ontario communities who said they will not allow construction of wind farms.
North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville had brought forward a motion to have C-K join with the 155. She said she’s concerned about the Capstone project.
“Obviously, I don’t see the benefit environmentally. In North Kent, the wind farms have already proven they’re detrimental to people’s water wells and the aquifer,” she said. “I’m not in favour of wind farms. I’m afraid for how this will impact people in East and South Kent.”
When contacted by The Voice, Hunter said she was not aware of the turbine issues that plague parts of North Kent.
“The environment is a concern for Capstone. We have 35 operations across the country. There are steps that can be put in place,” she said. “With any major project, there are impacts. Our job is to identify and mitigate them to the best of our ability.”
Not all wind farms in the municipality have fouled water wells. Far from it. North Kent’s Kettle Point Shale rock formations and how they were impacted during pile driving for the turbines and during their operations are the contributing factors in the water well issues there.
East Kent Coun. Morena McDonald said she has not heard from any of her constituents yet on the matter.
“I saw the letter (from Capstone) that’s been circulating. That’s about all I know about it at this point,” she said. “No one has come forward yet with any concerns.”
But she added there are so many unknowns at this stage, and expects more information to be shared at the Capstone open house on the matter.
She expects residents to be wary after what has happened with fouled water wells and impact to the aquifer in parts of North Kent related to wind turbine construction and operation.
“I think the sentiment around wind is somewhat negative in some pockets,” McDonald said.
Chatham-Kent receives $2 million per year from taxes on wind turbines, amounting to about one per cent of C-K’s budget. Plus, farmers who allow turbines on their property are compensated directly.
Hunter said Capstone’s goal is to submit the project to the IESO in the fall.
“A lot of consultation and work is needed to be done ahead of that,” she stressed.
