A company waiting to build a proposed wind park in Shuniah is almost ready to break ground pending government approval.
Carolyn Singer, an environmental specialist with Houston-based GDF Suez, said the proposed 100 Megawatt Lakehead Wind Park has been in the making since 2004. The company hosted their final public meeting at the MacGregor Recreation Centre where over 50 people attended Thursday night. Singer said she’s heard nothing but support from Shuniah residents.
"People have been very supportive in the Municipality of Shuniah," Singer said. "Our first open house back in 2006 had overwhelming support for the project."
Spanning 31,000 acres North of Hwy. 11/17 and East of Hwy. 527, the project could have up to 55 turbines on a combination of private, municipal and provincial lands. Singer said with the closest house being 1.6 kilometres away, GDF Suez is well within provincial guidelines.
"We’re well outside the level of concern for noise," said Singer.
Capital investment on the project could reach $300 million with up to 200 jobs expected during two years of construction. Although construction could begin as early as 2011, Singer said it all depends on when or if the Ontario Power Authority awards the company a contract. GDF Suez will file their Renewable Energy Approval to the OPA in May.
Shuniah Reeve Maria Harding said the municipality has had a land lease agreement with the company since 2004.
"It will be a great benefit to our community financially and Shuniah’s always open for business," Harding said. "If we can have it we will take it."
On Thursday, Harding said she hadn’t heard any concerns from Shuniah residents and even heard one lady say she wanted a wind turbine in her back yard.
"I don’t know if that’s the consensus of all of the people here but in the past people have been very very positive on the project," Harding said.
With 44 per cent of the project expected on private lands with the remaining 56 per cent proposed on municipal and provincial lands, Harding said Shuniah could see as much as an 8 per cent drop in taxation because of the project.
The project would end 2.5 kilometres North of Mount Baldy Ski Area. Owner Craig Speiss said he’s known about the plan for years and was glad to see the plans near completion Thursday. He said the turbines will probably be visible from the chair lift but that’s not a bad thing.
"The turbines are going to be way out in the middle of nowhere," Speiss said. "It actually looks pretty good. For renewable energy I think it’s a good idea."
Speiss said he’s always in favour of green energy as long as it’s not hurting anyone. If the project were to expand, Speiss said there’s also the possibility that some of it would end up on part of the 300 acres Mount Baldy has.
