The Thunder Bay area has two major solar farms, but that number could jump to eight by this time next year if an Alberta company's plans go ahead.
GTE Energy, based out of Calgary, is looking to create three solar farms in Shuniah near Amythyst Harbour, and three more here in Thunder Bay. The city projects would be located off Dawson Road-Highway 102 near Paquette Road, and off Mapleward Road south of the Shabaqua Extension.
GTE president Ian Rogers said the only thing holding up their plans is the Ontario Power Authority, which has been reviewing the company's Feed-in Tariff applications since February.
Another company, Skypower, recently built large solar farms at the Thunder Bay Airport and on the Fort William First Nation.
These six new solar farms would be similar in size, at 10 megawatts apiece, and GTE hopes to have them built and commissioned by the end of 2012.
Two public meetings on the projects have been scheduled for Dec. 13 in Shuniah and on Dec. 14 in Thunder Bay.
