There will be two pubic meetings held in this area to consider a huge wind energy power generation plan.
Invenergy Wind Canada ULC proposes to build a wind farm with between 25 and 35 turbines, approximately five kilometres northwest of Belwood, an area that falls within the Townships of Centre Wellington and East Garafraxa in Wellington and Dufferin Counties respectively.
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.
The major components of the project include:
– 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;
– a 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 proposed towers are approximately 80 to 100m high, and the length of the rotor blades is 40 to 50m. The land base required for each turbine, excluding the access road, is less than half an acre (0.25 acres excavation, 0.15 acres maintenance clearing) once in operation.
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 both the construction and operation phases of the project. Additional temporary crane travel paths will be required during construction.
Information on the company’s web site states there are possible project impacts that are under study as part of the environmental review, and any effects will be mitigated.
That includes, construction:
– (short-term) erosion and storm runoff may require measures to ensure no impact to water quality (increased sediment loads) of local streams;
– protection of soil and water (surface and ground) from the unlikely event of spills of fuel and oil;
– removal of active agricultural land from production
– increase in particulate matter (dust) in the local area
– noise effects 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 operation period (long-term);
– noise from operating wind turbines (all turbines will meet the 40 dBA limit for non-project participating receptors);
– visual impact of turbines;
– potential for bird and bat kills;
– potential for short-term noise disturbance effects in local area from infrequent major turbine repairs;
The meeting in Centre Wellington will take place at Belwood Hall from 5 to 8pm on March 9.
On March 10 from 5 to 8pm, a meeting will be held at Marsville Community Hall, 191282 13th Line, (Corner of 13th Line and Dufferin Road in Marsville.
To read the specifics of the proposal, visit http://belwood.invenergyllc.com/.
