Invenergy Wind Canada is proposing to develop a wind farm with between 25 to 35 turbines around this community.
The site for the turbines is approximately five kilometres northwest of Belwood, an area that falls within the Townships of Centre Wellington and East Garafraxa in the Counties of Wellington and Dufferin. Based on the Renewable Energy Approvals (REA) regulations, the project would be a Class 4 wind facility.
It is Invenergy’s intention to obtain a contract for the sale of electricity from wind power with the Ontario Power Authority. The project will require approval under the REA.
The process replaces previous requirements for several separate approvals under (among others) the Environmental Assessment Act, Planning Act and Environmental Protection Act.
Invenergy officials state the site was selected by considering wind resource assessment results, ease of access to the local electrical system, environmental constraints, and local landowner support. All project components, including turbines, feeder lines, and substation are to be located on private land or municipal rights-of-way.
Invenergy currently holds land lease options for the properties on which the project components would be located. The boundaries for the project include Sideroads 15 to Sideroad 25, along Wellington County Road 16. From there, the boundary of the project runs northeast along the West Garafraxa and East Luther Grand Valley boundary road to the 10th Line in East Garafraxa.
From there the boundary runs southeast to Sideroad 10 in East Garafraxa, and westward to the Garafraxa boundary line. Another, smaller parcel, runs southeast from Sideroad 10 in East Garafraxa to Dufferin County Road 3, just below Marsville.
Project components
The basic components of the project include wind turbines, electrical distribution equipment and other ancillary facilities. The major components of the project are:
– wind turbines;
– 690V /34.5 kV step up transformers (located at the base of each turbine);
– 34.5 kV collection system to link the wind turbines to the substation. Those lines are expected to be primarily below ground on private land and overhead lines along municipal road rights-of-way;
– substation (to step up the electric output from 34.5 kV to 230 kV);
– a switching station at the point of connection with the provincial grid;
– turbine access roads;
– one meteorological tower (which is already installed and operating);
– staging areas for assembly of wind turbines, only during construction; and
– a temporary concrete batch plant (required only if concrete cannot be sourced through local suppliers).
The wind turbines consist of the supporting tower, tower foundation, rotor blades, and gearbox and electrical generator housing. While the final model selection is still uncertain, company officials stated it is expected that either GE 1.5xle or GE 2.5xl turbines will be used.
Each tower will be approximately 80 to 100m high and the length of the rotor blades 40 to 50metres. The total tip height will be up to 150m. The land base required for each turbine, excluding the access road, is 0.25 acres excavation, 0.15 acres of maintenance clearing) once in operation.
The exact placement of the turbines is being confirmed and is subject to change based on comments from government agencies, aboriginal communities, the public, and landowners.
The turbine layout takes into consideration the following factors:
– results from wind profile studies and anemometer data;
– site access;
– existing land uses;
– environmental and socio-economic information (such as the Grand River Conservation Authority regulated buffers, presence of wildlife habitat, vegetation communities, location of historical resources);
– results from the sound assessment;
– interconnection economics; and
– REA setback requirements.
Other facilities
Each wind turbine will require an access road and underground electrical collection system. Access roads will be required to connect each turbine site to existing public roads or private driveways during the construction and operation phases of the project. Additional temporary crane travel paths will be required during construction.
Along the temporary construction, access roads topsoil will be relocated, temporarily stored, and used to rehabilitate lands affected by construction. Where required, a gravel base of sufficient depth is to be installed for the movement of heavy construction equipment.
The location of the permanent access roads will be determined based upon turbine locations, accessibility of equipment to adjacent sites, and consultations with the landowner, with a view to minimizing effects on agricultural operations.
Potential project effects
Invenergy officials stated there are effects that are possible with the project, and those are under study as part of the environmental review. Any identified effects must be mitigated and those measures outlined in the REA reports that are being prepared.
Short term construction effects could include:
– erosion and storm runoff may require mitigation measures to ensure no impact to water quality (increased sediment loads) of local streams;
– protection of surface and ground soil and water from any spills of fuel and oil;
– removal of active agricultural land from production;
– increase in particulate matter (dust) in the local area;
– noise from the operation of construction machinery and transport of materials into the project area;
– protection for loss of fish habitat as a result of stream crossings by the turbine access roads (to be confirmed);
– loss of terrestrial habitat through project construction (expected to be minimal as natural habitat areas are to be avoided as much as possible;
– disturbance of wildlife in adjacent habitat from construction noise and human presence
– potential for traffic delays on local roads from construction related traffic;
– public safety effects from operation of heavy equipment
– potential for effects on archaeological resources in the operation period (long-term);
– noise from operating wind turbines (all turbines have to meet the 40 dBA limit for non-project participating receptors);
– visual impact of turbines;
– potential for bird and bat kills; and
– potential for short-term noise disturbance effects in local area from infrequent major turbine repairs
